A new study finds that sitting for long periods of time poses a number of health concerns, and may increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Brazilian researchers who analyzed data from 54 countries linked sitting for more than three hours a day to 3.8 percent of deaths from all causes. At the same, limiting sitting time to less than three hours a day would increase a person's life expectancy, though marginally, the study says.
The study compared adults who spent less than two hours a day in front of the TV or other screen-based entertainment with those who logged more than four hours a day of recreational screen time. Those who spent more time sitting in front of the screen had a nearly 50 percent increased risk of death, and a 125 percent increased risk of death related with cardiovascular disease, such as chest pain or heart attack.
Extended sitting, even if it is behind a desk at work or on a driver's seat, can be harmful.
Engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity doesn't seem to significantly offset the risk.
Reducing the time you sit and moving more overall is recommended. You might start by simply standing rather than sitting whenever you have the chance or think about ways to walk while you work.
Even a 10 percent reduction in sitting time could have an immediate and positive impact, the researchers said.
Lead investigator Leandro Rezende points out that although sitting is an intrinsic part of human nature, excessive sitting is very common in modern societies.
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