Sitting and chronic disease

Original Editor - Tony Lowe

Top Contributors - Tony Lowe, WikiSysop, Admin, Leana Louw and Amrita Patro

Summary[edit | edit source]

There is a growing set of evidence that links daily sitting time and chronic diseases diabetes and heart disease. For more information see the Heart Foundation's Sitting Less for Adults guide.

Example studies linking sitting with chronic disease[edit | edit source]

A survey of Australian males aged over 45 found that those who spent more than 4 hours a day sitting were significantly more likely to be suffering from a chronic disease[1].

Management[edit | edit source]

  • Reduce the total time spent sitting a day[2][3].
  • Take regular breaks from sitting[4][5].

Suggested approaches for officer workers to reduce and break sitting periods:

  1. Use a standing desk.
  2. Use standing meetings.
  3. Take telephone calls standing.
  4. Walk to see a colleague rather than call or email.
  5. Eat lunch away from your desk.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. George ES, Rosenkranz RR, Kolt GS., Chronic disease and sitting time in middle-aged Australian males: findings from the 45 and Up Study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2013 Feb 8;10:20. doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-10-20.
  2. Katzmarzyk PT, et al. Sitting time and mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, fckLRand cancer. Medicine and science in sports and exercise 2009; 41(5): 998-1005.
  3. Patel AV, et al. Leisure time spent sitting in relation to total mortality in a prospective fckLRcohort of US adults. American Journal of Epidemiology 2010; 172(4): 419-29.
  4. Healy GN, et al. Sedentary time and cardio-metabolic biomarkers in US adults: NHANES fckLR2003-06. European Heart Journal 2011; 32(5) 590-97.
  5. Healy GN, et al. Breaks in sedentary time: beneficial associations with metabolic risk. Diabetes Care 2008; 31(4): 661-6.