The amount of time a person sits during the day is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and death, regardless of regular exercise. Science Daily reports that according to Dr David Alter, senior scientist, Toronto Rehab, University Health Network (UHN), and Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences: "More than one half of an average person's day is spent being sedentary – sitting, watching television, or working at a computer. Our study finds that despite the health-enhancing benefits of physical activity, this alone may not be enough to reduce the risk for disease."
The authors of the meta-analysis found the negative effects of sitting time on health, however, are more pronounced among those who do little or no exercise than among those who participate in higher amounts of exercise.
"The findings suggest that the health risk of sitting too much is less pronounced when physical activity is increased," said lead author, Avi Biswas, PhD candidate, Toronto Rehab, UHN and the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto. "We need further research to better understand how much physical activity is needed to offset the health risks associated with long sedentary time and optimise our health."
Future research will help determine what interventions, in addition to physical activity, are effective against the health risk of sedentary time. "Avoiding sedentary time and getting regular exercise are both important for improving your health and survival," said Alter. "It is not good enough to exercise for 30 minutes a day and be sedentary for 23 and half hours."
[link url="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150119171701.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_health+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Health+News%29"]Full Science Daily report[/link]
[link url="http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2091327"]Annals of Internal Medicine abstract[/link]