How to offset the health risks of sitting 8 hours a day

We have heard a lot lately about the harmful effects from lack of activity particularly for people who sit for long periods of time in office jobs. In fact, sedentary behaviour has been called the “new smoking” because it’s associated with higher risks of mortality or suffering a chronic condition.

A new study published in The Lancet says we can balance off the health risks of sitting – with an hour of brisk walking or a bike ride every day.

The study – which involved more than a million people – shows that participants who did at least one hour of moderately intensive physical activity had a much lower risk of death compared to people who sit for long periods of time. Moderately intensive active could include walking at 5.6 km/h, or cycling at 16 km/h. Those activities can be divided up throughout the day. 

What about those of us who spend a lot of time watching TV? The researchers looked at this aspect too. They found that those who sat and watched at least three hours of TV per day had an increased risk of death for all groups. Again, 60 to 75 minutes of activity per day can make all the difference. Researchers suggest that watching a lot of TV may be a marker of a more unhealthy lifestyle in general. They also suggest that because people tend to watch TV in the evenings after dinner, it may affect their metabolism. People also tend to snack while watching TV.

There are many media articles on how to combat the risks for people who are sedentary, with varying findings. However, they all agree that regular physical activity is important to good health.

Physicians in BC hope you will get out and get moving this summer and throughout the year. Your health depends on it.

For more on the Lancet study, click here. 

For more information on Doctors of BC programs promoting physical activity, click here.