Sitting for Extended Periods Increases the Risk of 14 Diseases – Experts Recommend Getting Up Every Hour for 2 Minutes
Sitting for Extended Periods Increases the Risk of 14 Diseases – Experts Recommend Getting Up Every Hour for 2 Minutes
According to a recent study by Chinese scientists, even if you exercise regularly, a habit of prolonged sitting can increase the risk of death from various diseases.
Dr. Alpa Patel, Chief Strategic Scientist for Cancer Prevention Research at the American Cancer Society, and her research team collected data from 128,000 male and female participants. At the start of the study, all participants were free from major chronic diseases. Over the 21-year follow-up period, nearly 49,000 individuals passed away. The data analysis revealed that compared to those who sat for less than 3 hours a day, those who sat for over 6 hours a day had an overall increased risk of premature death by 19%. Among this group, the death rate from cancer increased by 10%, and the death rate from musculoskeletal diseases increased by 60%.
Researchers found that prolonged sitting elevated the risk of death from 14 different diseases, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), other lung diseases, liver disease, digestive system disorders, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression, other neurological diseases, and musculoskeletal diseases. The underlying causes can be attributed to how prolonged sitting affects triglycerides, blood sugar, blood pressure, and insulin levels. It also increases inflammation associated with obesity, leading to conditions like heart disease, liver disease, cancer, diabetes, and lung disease. The specific mechanisms behind the increased risk of death from depression, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, neurological diseases, and musculoskeletal diseases require further research. Some researchers believe that these diseases themselves might contribute to prolonged sitting, creating a vicious cycle.
Dr. Patel emphasized that the new research underscores the importance of reducing sedentary time and avoiding long periods of sitting, whether it's watching TV, working, or using smartphones. It's advisable to stand up and move every hour for at least 2 minutes, stretch your limbs, and do a quick stretch. This small adjustment can indeed contribute to a longer and healthier life.
According to a recent study by Chinese scientists, even if you exercise regularly, a habit of prolonged sitting can increase the risk of death from various diseases.
Dr. Alpa Patel, Chief Strategic Scientist for Cancer Prevention Research at the American Cancer Society, and her research team collected data from 128,000 male and female participants. At the start of the study, all participants were free from major chronic diseases. Over the 21-year follow-up period, nearly 49,000 individuals passed away. The data analysis revealed that compared to those who sat for less than 3 hours a day, those who sat for over 6 hours a day had an overall increased risk of premature death by 19%. Among this group, the death rate from cancer increased by 10%, and the death rate from musculoskeletal diseases increased by 60%.
Researchers found that prolonged sitting elevated the risk of death from 14 different diseases, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), other lung diseases, liver disease, digestive system disorders, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression, other neurological diseases, and musculoskeletal diseases. The underlying causes can be attributed to how prolonged sitting affects triglycerides, blood sugar, blood pressure, and insulin levels. It also increases inflammation associated with obesity, leading to conditions like heart disease, liver disease, cancer, diabetes, and lung disease. The specific mechanisms behind the increased risk of death from depression, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, neurological diseases, and musculoskeletal diseases require further research. Some researchers believe that these diseases themselves might contribute to prolonged sitting, creating a vicious cycle.
Dr. Patel emphasized that the new research underscores the importance of reducing sedentary time and avoiding long periods of sitting, whether it's watching TV, working, or using smartphones. It's advisable to stand up and move every hour for at least 2 minutes, stretch your limbs, and do a quick stretch. This small adjustment can indeed contribute to a longer and healthier life.
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