Regularly sit for more than an hour at a time is dangerous to health
Not only the total amount of time spent sitting during the day, is associated with an increased risk of death, but also the duration of individual sessions. The new work complements a growing number of studies about the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle.
With increased risk of death due not only to the total amount of time spent sitting during the day, but the duration of individual sessions. The new work complements a growing number of studies about the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle. An article with the results published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.
“Usually we think of sedentary lifestyle as the total amount of time spent sitting per day, says lead author Kate Diaz from the Medical center of Columbia University. — However, there have already been studies that have suggested that the duration of individual sessions seat also can affect health.”
The researchers used individual sensors to determine the amount of time spent sitting. The study involved 7 895 Americans older than 45 years. On average they spent browsing 77% of the time awake, which is more than 12 hours a day. Over a four-year observation period died 340 participants. It turned out that the highest mortality rate was observed among those who sit 13 hours a day, as well as those who often sits for at least an hour. For people from this group the risk of death was two times higher than others.
The lowest mortality was observed among participants who sat more than an hour at a time. Therefore, the authors recommend getting up and walk at least every half hour, even if work or lifestyle a person has to sit a lot. However, the optimal amount of physical activity remains unclear.