Advice for desk bound workers

A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine investigated the risks of prolonged sitting.  The study followed over 220, 000 Australians who participated in the “45 and Up” study and correlated cause of death and time spent sitting.  They found people who sat for between 8 and 11 hours had an increase risk of death of 15% and those who sat for longer than 11 hours increased their risk of death by a whopping 40% (as compared to people who sat for only 4-8hrs/day).

Who would have thought sitting could be problematic, but the authors found the adverse effects of prolonged sitting mainly owing to reduced metabolic and vascular health.  The most amazing finding was that the increased risk of death was irrespective of physical activity.

So what does this mean for you?

• Most importantly try to sit less
• Get up from your desk every ½ -1 hour
• When answering the phone or reading the paper or email stand up at your desk
• Stand when on the bus or train