Sitting "bad" for you?

[Terzo]

I saw one of those stupid infographs making what seems to be a ridiculous claim, among others. "Sitting increases risk of death up to 40%". Honestly it sounds like one of those scare headlines that is completely BS, but I the listed sources at the bottom don't really provide a journal to review. With some lazy searching I was able to find an article and one referenced journal. They do seem to say that too much sitting is unhealthy, even accounting for other lifestyle and exercise habits, but I'm still skeptical.

Can anyone here provide a more informed view (cough SC) about these articles and their hypothesis? The quote I made earlier just sounded so ridiculous that I refuse to believe it, but honestly I don't know enough to judge whether it's quack science or not. I looked through the article but it doesn't seem to really say much. I skimmed through the journal article as well but I don't know how to critically evaluate it. Each is linked below.

Times article
Journal article (opens as pdf)

Is the conclusion legit or are the studies questionable?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Sitting is actually terribly bad for you, particularly in long bouts. I remember reading a few articles that linked it to a pretty large increase in risk of diabetes and heart disease, particularly the longer you sat continually. People who tended to sit for 8-10h per day were at very high risk of developing pathology. From my personal viewpoint in physical therapy, it's also linked with orthopedic injury (degenerative disc disease, neck pain, back pain, muscle tightness, etc). I don't know if I believe it increases risk of death by 40% (seem a bit dramatic), but it does increase health risks quite a lot. Will have to look at those articles in particular a little later.

 

[Maximilian]

Sitting is actually terribly bad for you, particularly in long bouts. I remember reading a few articles that linked it to a pretty large increase in risk of diabetes and heart disease, particularly the longer you sat continually. People who tended to sit for 8-10h per day were at very high risk of developing pathology. From my personal viewpoint in physical therapy, it's also linked with orthopedic injury (degenerative disc disease, neck pain, back pain, muscle tightness, etc). I don't know if I believe it increases risk of death by 40% (seem a bit dramatic), but it does increase health risks quite a lot. Will have to look at those articles in particular a little later.

Is this just sitting on its own or is this sitting combined with no exercise, bad posture and a lousy diet?

 

[Terzo]

SC - thanks for the initial response. I guess it's not as alarmist as it seems. I just tend to be wary of claims like these since so often it seems like the publications or experiment's they're based on are flawed.

Max - Based on what I've read they've accounted for a number of factors, including age, bmi, gender, and I *think* activity levels, and the results still stand. I'm guessing that exercise still helps somewhat, just doesn't completely cancel sitting out.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Is this just sitting on its own or is this sitting combined with no exercise, bad posture and a lousy diet?

This is sitting not controlled for exercise. The studies include those who exercise and those who don't exercise. From what I've read, it is independent of exercise, meaning that it affects everyone regardless of activity level during the rest of the day. Obviously, exercise mediates some of the risks, but definitely not all.

 

[kushy26]

Yes nicely shared the message but knowingly or unknowing we are all doing the same as it is compulsory for all of us to work and to have some money.I am following a remedy daily by having early morning walk and evening practicing aerobics.Is it fine?

 

[SenK9]

Even with daily exercise, like gym, sitting is still bad for you. I switched to a standing desk a year ago, which was initially difficult (on the feet) but now I don't even notice it. Highly recommended. My back pain is gone and energy levels throughout the day are better.

Humans aren't supposed to sit for extended periods of time. Sitting more than a couple of hours increases risk of heart disease, diabetes, cholesterol related disease, obesity, back related issues, hip flexor issues, and more. Even IF you use a Herman Miller Aeron.

Some reading:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/19346988/
http://m.aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/172/4/419.abstract?sid=f9aa59b6-438b-482c-a782-315969087e17
http://scholarworks.umass.edu/open_access_dissertations/73/
http://m.theatlantic.com/health/arc...he-who-sits-the-most-dies-the-soonest/256101/
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/stand-up-while-you-read-this/
http://health.yahoo.net/experts/menshealth/most-dangerous-thing-youll-do-all-day

Hope that helps.

 

[KidNiki1]

so i have been thinking about this, since i have a job where i sit a lot. i do take breaks every now and then, walk around outside for about 10 minutes. i'm not sure i can get a standing desk since we are a small business, but what about the chairs where you dont sit, you sort of kneel? like this? would this be at all beneficial? http://www.amazon.com/Flash-Furnitur...sim_sbs_misc_7

 

[highland145]

so i have been thinking about this, since i have a job where i sit a lot. i do take breaks every now and then, walk around outside for about 10 minutes. i'm not sure i can get a standing desk since we are a small business, but what about the chairs where you dont sit, you sort of kneel? like this? would this be at all beneficial? http://www.amazon.com/Flash-Furnitur...sim_sbs_misc_7

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2059161

Tried the kneeling chair. Put me too high in relation to my desk and killed my neck after 10 min. did get some use out of it though. My kid would ride it around the office.

 

[KidNiki1]

yeah, im pretty short tho. not sure that the height part would be a problem for me. it might actually help. but if that kind of chair doesnt make a difference either way, it doesnt matter. i was just wondering if the kneeling chairs actually help, or are just bunk.

i have been looking at the mini desks that you put on top of your desk so you can stand up to work. they aren't that expensive really. maybe i will try one of those.

 

[lollyjoe]

Sitting in the same position for long intervals can be bad. You can choose stand up and walk for a minute after sitting down for an hour or two.

 

[GasX]

Hemmorhoids suck and DVTs can kill you.