Scientists have discovered that sitting for long periods has a host of negative effects on health, and a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that these consequences can even apply to those with otherwise active, healthy lifestyles.
“Getting your 30 minutes of physical activity five times a week is not insurance against chronic disease,†Mark Tremblay, director of the Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group in Ottawa, told Reuters. “Instead, time spent doing moderate or vigorous exercise and time being totally sedentary may each affect long-term disease risks separately.â€
Researchers found that the added dangers associated with prolonged sitting applies to all people, regardless of whether they are overweight, healthy or unhealthy.
The solution, Mr. Tremblay said, is to “train yourself to regularly interrupt sedentary behavior.†This can include simply walking around periodically or making a quick jaunt up a flight of stairs. A few minutes of standing every hour can add up by the end of the day, and help counteract the consequences of inactivity.