It’s a wake-up call for desk-bound individuals and habitual couch potatoes alike: the sedentary lifestyle we’ve grown accustomed to may be more perilous than we realize.
New research from the University of California-San Diego has uncovered a startling revelation: prolonged sitting is among the leading causes of premature death. Even for older women who engage in vigorous exercise, sitting for 11 hours or more each day increases the risk of death by a staggering 30 per cent.
The study, led by postdoctoral fellow Steve Nguyen from the UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, analyzed data from over 6,000 women aged 63 to 99. Over an eight-year period, researchers monitored participants’ sitting time and daily activity levels using wearable monitors, correlating these factors with mortality rates.
Their findings, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, revealed that regardless of the amount of exercise performed, prolonged sitting posed a significant risk to health. Whether it’s a brisk hour-long walk or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, the detrimental effects of extended sitting persisted.
“Sedentary behaviour isn’t just about lack of physical activity; it’s about prolonged sitting or reclining with minimal energy expenditure,” explains Nguyen. “This lifestyle slows down muscle contractions, blood flow, and glucose metabolism, contributing to adverse health outcomes.”
Dr Jeila Mohamed, a cardiology specialist at Agha Khan University Hospital, emphasizes the physiological implications of prolonged sitting. “When seated for long periods, blood flow decreases, hindering glucose uptake and muscle activity,” she explains.
So, what’s the solution? Nguyen suggests breaking up prolonged sitting sessions by incorporating short, frequent breaks. “The risk escalates after 11 hours of sitting per day, especially if these periods are prolonged,” he advises. “Even short breaks, every hour or so, can mitigate this risk. It doesn’t require leaving your workspace; a brief stroll is sufficient.”
As we navigate the modern sedentary lifestyle, this research serves as a crucial reminder: staying active isn’t just about scheduled workouts—it’s about breaking the cycle of prolonged sitting for better health and longevity.
