U.S.News | Posted Aug 27th 2013 by Lindsay Olson
Sitting disease
If you're like 86% of American
workers, you sit all day for your job. Add to that the time you spend sitting
on the couch after work watching television, reading, playing games or surfing
the Internet, and you spend approximately 13 hours a day sitting down,
according to a survey by Ergotron, a manufacturer of digital display mounting
and mobility products.
But could
you be at risk for "Sitting Disease?"
Given the number of workers
who perform their tasks on a computer or otherwise seated at a desk, medical
experts are starting to become concerned about the health effects of sitting.
The scientific community has coined the phrase "Sitting Disease" to
refer to the effect sitting has on metabolism, as well as the negative impact
of an overly sedentary lifestyle. It may not be a diagnosable disease yet, but
if you sit the majority of the day and don't balance it out with physical
activity, your health could be in jeopardy.
The Dangers of Sitting
Ergotron's informative site,
JustStand.org, provides ample medical research indicating that prolonged
sitting increases the risk of cancer, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease
and even death. Here are other shocking statistics:
People
who sit for more than 11 hours a day have a 40 percent increased risk of death
in the next three years, compared with people who sit for four hours or less.
Workers
who have held sedentary roles for more than 10 years have twice the risk of
colon cancer. The longer people sit, the shorter
their lifespan, even if they exercise regularly.
Sitting
for long periods may also affect the development of musculoskeletal disorders.
Want to
know how much you sit? Try out this Sitting Time Calculator to find out.
How to Stand Up Against
Sitting Disease
Before you quit your desk job in
favor of your health, arm yourself with information about how you can reduce
your risk of health issues that sitting can cause. The key is being more
active. But be aware: even if you consider yourself active now (meaning you
spend 30 minutes or more a day engaging in physical exercise), you're still
considered high risk if you spend eight to 10 hours a day sitting. If possible, aim for more
exercise, especially on the days you're sitting for work. Walking, hiking,
biking and swimming are all excellent forms of exercise that counter the
effects of sitting.
Also, look into standing and walking
more at work and at home. Rather than call or IM a co-worker, walk over to her
office. Park farther away in the parking lot so that you have another
opportunity to walk. Invest in a FitBit or other pedometer device and aim for
10,000 steps a day. Stand up while watching TV, or at least during commercial
breaks. Build activity into your day, even if it's in five-minute bursts.
There are also products available
that let you stand, sit and stand, or even walk on a treadmill while you work
on your computer. Sitting on a stability ball can also engage your muscles and
make sitting a more active event.
Don't let the idea of Sitting
Disease scare you. Make it an excuse to be more proactive about your health,
both at the office and at home. Find opportunities to get up from your desk, or
to work while standing (don't make going to the break room for a piece of
birthday cake your excuse). Being aware of your health and how sitting affects
it can help reduce the risk of the diseases that a sedentary lifestyle can
bring, and being more active can have the added perk of better health and
fitness, as well as weight loss.
Original article source http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/08/22/are-you-suffering-from-sitting-disease
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