Research and Development News

Sitting for Long Hours Cuts Down Your Lifespan

By: Carly Zinderman | Wednesday 29 June 2011 12:20 PDT

According to a new study, sitting for long stretches of time, takes years off your life by increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, depression and colon cancer.

The American Journal of Epidemiology reported that people who spend a lot of time sitting at their job have double the risk of developing a specific type of colon cancer.

The study by the American Cancer Society, looked at the health of 123,216 people during a 14-year period. Researchers found that women who sit for more than six hours a day were about 40 percent more likely to die during the course of the study than those who sat fewer than three hours per day. Men were about 20 percent more likely to die.

Other studies that have looked at cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes and depression, also found that sitting caused diseases.

The recent research found that exercising cannot undo the damage that sitting does. The American Cancer Society points out that public health guidelines focus on increasing physical activity levels to prevent cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes and depression, but do not have guidelines on sitting.

Sitting during long periods of time began as an occupational affliction, according to Jeremy Morris, researcher in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. He looked at 1950s occupations and found that London's double-decker bus drivers were more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than the bus conductor, and government clerks were more likely to die than mail carriers. Since then, research has focused on getting more exercise, but little focus has been spent on telling people to sit less.

In light of the new research, some companies have started to adapt the workplace accordingly. Some forward-thinking offices have installed standing and adjustable desks that allow for switching between sitting and standing positions, and treadmill desks, which operate at low walking speeds.

The option to stand or walk at low speeds is considered healthier and could help avoid the type of colon cancer associated with sitting for long periods, as well as fend off diseases like cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes and depression.