02 Oct Sitting is as bad as smoking

Sitting is as bad as smoking

Latest research has shown sitting is as bad as smoking. Research has demonstrated it is linked to an increase in diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even cancer.

Dr David Dunstan explains that as a nation we are actually sitting down longer then what we sleep! Our average sleep is 7.3 hours whilst we sit for an average of 9.5 hours. Pretty scary stats considering as humans we aren’t meant to be sitting but constantly moving and incorporating incidental exercise into our daily routine.  Dunstan talks about a case study which involved a highly immobile 45 year old woman who was told by her doctor she had not only developed type 2 diabetes but was 5 years away from needing to go on a dialysis and it would be 10 years before she would most likely die. She made a huge change to her diet, started personal training 3 times per week and made sure she increased her incidental exercise, especially at work.

Sitting explained:

As soon as you sit down, the enzymes that help burn fat drop by 90%, insulin effectiveness and good cholesterol drops, blood pressure rises, your leg muscles switch off, pleasure is placed on your spine and neck and blood clots are more likely to form.

Silicon Valley is leading the way in combatting this global problem. Staff stand at their desks and are encouraged to walk around and stretch every hour, ensuring insulin levels remain level.

So next time you are craving that afternoon snack, do you and your body a favour and get up and move. You might be surprised by the results!

Source: 60 minutes, channel 10