On Your Feet: How long do you need to stand to be healthier?
You may want to get off your bottom while reading about the many health hazards that befall those who sit for too long.
We all know we need to lead a more active lifestyle, but increasing evidence tells us we need to spend less time sitting down as well.
A new study published in the European Heart Journal has shown that being seated for too long is bad for your health regardless of how much exercise you do.
The findings come after the researchers had 782 men and women wear activity trackers that tracked how much time they spent sitting, standing, sleeping or lying down 24 hours a day for seven days straight. In addition, blood samples and other measurements like blood pressure and weight were taken into consideration when tallying results.
Continuous sitting has been linked to slow metabolism, cancer, obesity, diabetes and even premature death, all of which can be countered by getting off your behind! In fact, research has shown that replacing two hours a day of sitting time with an on-your-feet position will contribute to better blood sugar levels, lower levels of fat in the blood, a significantly lower body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference altogether.
While more research is needed, the study only supports the long held notion we’ve had that an active lifestyle is better than a sedentary one.
Perhaps it’s time to invest in that standing desk?
Karen George
