Sitting for long periods each day increases risk of diabetes, heart disease and death, according to a meta-analysis by British researchers.
People with the highest amount of sedentary time had double the risk of diabetes, heart disease and death compared with those with the lowest amount, the researchers reported after analyzing 18 studies involving 794,577 participants.
The associations were independent of the amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity undertaken, suggesting that even if individuals meet typical physical activity guidelines, their health may still be compromised if they sit for long periods of time throughout the day.
"The average adult spends 50% to 70% of their time sitting, so the findings of this study have far-reaching implications," Dr. Emma Wilmot, a research fellow in the Diabetes Research Group at the University of Leicester (England), said in a news release. "By simply limiting the time that we spend sitting, we may be able to reduce our risk of diabetes, heart disease and death."
Wilmot said the most consistent associations were between sitting and diabetes. "This is an important message because people with risk factors for diabetes — such as the obese, those of South Asian ethnic origin or those with a family history of diabetes — may be able to reduce their future risk of diabetes by limiting the time spent sitting."
Longborough University professor Stuart Biddle, a co-investigator on the study said: "There are many ways we can reduce our sitting time, such as breaking up long periods at the computer at work by placing our laptop on a filing cabinet. We can have standing meetings, we can walk during the lunch break and we can look to reduce TV viewing in the evenings by seeking out less sedentary behaviors."
The study appears in the November issue of the journal Diabetologia. The study abstract is available at www.springerlink.com/content/x8g2407126q581u0/.
People with the highest amount of sedentary time had double the risk of diabetes, heart disease and death compared with those with the lowest amount, the researchers reported after analyzing 18 studies involving 794,577 participants.
The associations were independent of the amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity undertaken, suggesting that even if individuals meet typical physical activity guidelines, their health may still be compromised if they sit for long periods of time throughout the day.
"The average adult spends 50% to 70% of their time sitting, so the findings of this study have far-reaching implications," Dr. Emma Wilmot, a research fellow in the Diabetes Research Group at the University of Leicester (England), said in a news release. "By simply limiting the time that we spend sitting, we may be able to reduce our risk of diabetes, heart disease and death."
Wilmot said the most consistent associations were between sitting and diabetes. "This is an important message because people with risk factors for diabetes — such as the obese, those of South Asian ethnic origin or those with a family history of diabetes — may be able to reduce their future risk of diabetes by limiting the time spent sitting."
Longborough University professor Stuart Biddle, a co-investigator on the study said: "There are many ways we can reduce our sitting time, such as breaking up long periods at the computer at work by placing our laptop on a filing cabinet. We can have standing meetings, we can walk during the lunch break and we can look to reduce TV viewing in the evenings by seeking out less sedentary behaviors."
The study appears in the November issue of the journal Diabetologia. The study abstract is available at www.springerlink.com/content/x8g2407126q581u0/.
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