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Research is preliminary, but several studies suggest people who spend most of their days sitting are more likely to be fat, have a heart attack or even die.
In an editorial published this week in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, Elin Ekblom-Bak of the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences suggested that authorities rethink how they define physical activity to highlight the dangers of sitting.
While health officials have issued guidelines recommending minimum amounts of physical activity, they haven't suggested people try to limit how much time they spend in a seated position.
"After four hours of sitting, the body starts to send harmful signals," Ekblom-Bak said. She explained that genes regulating the amount of glucose and fat in the body start to shut down. Even for people who exercise, spending long stretches of time sitting at a desk is still harmful.
..................................................................I have been sitting at my job for almost 40 years. Only the increase fat has been my nemesis. Good news, maybe!
One person here at CSI last year gave up his 'sit-at-desk' and switch to a 'stand-up-desk'. He says it has made a world of difference. Less back pain, more productive at work, and more energy when he goes home. The first couple of months were tough until his legs got strong enough to stand all the time and now he says no going back. It is very relaxing to him. Maybe we should get rid of our kitchen table chairs and add some length to the table legs and stand-up for every meal. That might be a secret for us to live longer, less fat, more energy; just like dieting!
For all you exercise conscious people, keep doing what you are doing but find ways to sit less and you should live longer.
