Sitting and Dying

MissConfidence

So I've come across multiple articles about this new study that prolonged sitting raises chances of dying earlier or having more health complications. Here's the most recent article from Huff Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/24/sitting-too-long-death_n_884152.html

So, I work at a desk averaging 8 hours a day. How am I to avoid my prolonged sitting? Would getting up every hour and do some jumping jacks be enough? Or squats or a short walk in my small office? Wouldn't I have to do this for a total of 3 hours a day to avoid the "more than 6 hours of sitting" ratio?? I suppose I can do some work standing up, maybe that will help cut the total hours sitting... For the people who've read about this study, how have you changed your sitting habits? And remember, this study has nothing to do with any exercise you do everyday, this merely talks about sitting for more than 6 hours a day...

AZackery

No one knows when a person is going to die and I would take the sitting and dying thing as a grain of salt. Some people have jobs where they have to sit and barely move, unless they are going to the rest room, bringing something to another area or going to lunch other than that they are sitting. And as for health problem, a person can stand all day or move around all day and that will not prevent them from getting a health problem.

If sitting for 6 hours raises the chances of a person dying early, then I guess sleeping 6 hours or more does too.

Seajolly

Try to get up and move at least every hour, if not every 30 mins if you can. It's important to keep your circulation moving well. Even if you're just walking to get some water, that will be beneficial. I'd keep a small cup at your desk that you refill with water throughout the day. Having it be small is key, since you'll have to get up more often to refill it.

If you can do a few jumping jacks, even better!

kymarai

I agree with Seajolly! Small water cups = more water breaks. I think even pacing while talking on phone. You have the right ideas. Just try to move every so often to keep circulation going. Great work!

Caitie1986

I use this trick- we all know that standing takes more effort than sitting. When you are sitting it is easy to become bored or lethargic. In my office, all of our incoming inquiry calls are routed to me. When I get an inquiry call, I stand up to take it. Even though the person on the other end of the line can't see me, they can hear the attention in my voice. Studies have actually been done on this. If there is anything that you can do standing instead of sitting, stand up to do it!

kitinboots

I saw that and just took it as inspiration to exercise. We're not going to be on our feet all day (believe me, I tried), and if sitting is bad then lying down must be too, but we all have to sleep.

unsuspectingfish

Whenever I see articles like this, I want to see the sample data. The only factors we're getting here are hours spent sitting and whether or not they exercise outside that sitting. They don't talk about lifestyle or how many hours of exercise these people are getting. Of course a sedentary lifestyle is going to raise your risk of disease. I'm also going to bet that a lot of people who sit at a desk all day are going to get home and not really feel like doing much else than sitting some more. Basically, stay active, eat right, get up and move around every once in a while, and don't worry about it.

unsuspectingfish

I saw that and just took it as inspiration to exercise. We're not going to be on our feet all day (believe me, I tried), and if sitting is bad then lying down must be too, but we all have to sleep.

Sitting compresses stuff that standing and lying down don't.

ppiinnkkmmoonn

Dont have a thing to say about the article,\ but i can say where i use to be sitting and stuffing my face was putting me in a early grave plus like robo said what are these people really doing after work.

Peridotite

I actually get to move around a lot at my work, but on the days that I feel like I am sitting down a lot I stand up to type my emails. That is what works for me :happy: ....Oh and all the water that I drink provides many trips to the washroom:blushing:

mzenzer

No one knows when a person is going to die and I would take the sitting and dying thing as a grain of salt. Some people have jobs where they have to sit and barely move, unless they are going to the rest room, bringing something to another area or going to lunch other than that they are sitting. And as for health problem, a person can stand all day or move around all day and that will not prevent them from getting a health problem.

If sitting for 6 hours raises the chances of a person dying early, then I guess sleeping 6 hours or more does too.

None of this is really accurate or the point. The study the original poster is referring to is probably the latest of quite a few that show the same thing. Sitting is not a natural position for humans. Ask any chiropractor what's the worst position to be in and they'll tell you sitting. It affects a lot of things not the least of which is your circulation. Sleeping however, in a laying down position, is of course normal and something our bodies are accustomed to and is necessary and helpful for health. Like the others said, get up every chance you get, even if it's just to stand up for 30 seconds. I too have a desk job but i'm fortunate that I am required to get up a lot.

Barneystinson

I stand up for about 4-6 of my 8 hours daily at work. I converted my desk to a standing work station.

Interesting enough, in many European countries, standing (elevating) workstations are required for employees.

I'm a fidgety person. My back gets sore if I sit for too long. I don't know about the lowered life expectancy, but I will tell you standing for much of the day and also doing light movements and stretching has helped my back tremendously.

Seajolly

I stand up for about 4-6 of my 8 hours daily at work. I converted my desk to a standing work station.

Interesting enough, in many European countries, standing (elevating) workstations are required for employees.

Very true! My dad used to work for a European company and had a standing desk. He LOVED it!!! He asked if he could bring his standing desk along when he got a new job, but they said no. :huh:

I think in years to come a lot more companies will be providing standing desks for their employees! My dad said his back felt better and his energy level was much better when he was standing most of the day!

AZackery

None of this is really accurate or the point. The study the original poster is referring to is probably the latest of quite a few that show the same thing. Sitting is not a natural position for humans. Ask any chiropractor what's the worst position to be in and they'll tell you sitting. It affects a lot of things not the least of which is your circulation. Sleeping however, in a laying down position, is of course normal and something our bodies are accustomed to and is necessary and helpful for health. Like the others said, get up every chance you get, even if it's just to stand up for 30 seconds. I too have a desk job but i'm fortunate that I am required to get up a lot.

Sitting is a natural position for human. Besides sleeping, human sits more than standing. Even posture is associated with sitting.

I know that this article is aiming for people to exercise and a person doesn't have to be standing or moving around to exercise. Have these people ever heard of chair exercise?

I'm in the medical field, I know a lot about the human body.

mzenzer

None of this is really accurate or the point. The study the original poster is referring to is probably the latest of quite a few that show the same thing. Sitting is not a natural position for humans. Ask any chiropractor what's the worst position to be in and they'll tell you sitting. It affects a lot of things not the least of which is your circulation. Sleeping however, in a laying down position, is of course normal and something our bodies are accustomed to and is necessary and helpful for health. Like the others said, get up every chance you get, even if it's just to stand up for 30 seconds. I too have a desk job but i'm fortunate that I am required to get up a lot.

Sitting is a natural position for human. Besides sleeping, human sits more than standing. Even posture is associated with sitting.

I know that this article is aiming for people to exercise and a person doesn't have to be standing or moving around to exercise. Have these people ever heard of chair exercise?

I'm in the medical field, I know a lot about the human body.

Well then, perhaps you should listen to what your colleagues are saying?

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sitting/AN02082

mzenzer

And then there is this. Did you know that sitting, while arguably a "natural" human position, requires a certain technique which in the absence of is probably what is causing these studies to show what they do.

*********************
It is very important to sit in such a way that the freedom of movement at this joint is not seriously compromised. When sitting in standard chairs you are effectively sitting on the muscles which move the thighs, thus severely restricting their freedom of movement, Fig 8a. The problem can be solved by sitting on chairs and benches, which are lower, or by using footrests, Fig 8b. It is better to sit on hard surfaces rather than on cushioned surfaces.


http://www.humanposture.com/correctingyourposture.htm

Anonymou5

To the OP, the article that you are referencing is about leisure time sitting. If you follow the link to the journal that the article is based on you will find this link:
http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/172/4/419.abstract

"reducing time spent sitting, regardless of activity, may improve the metabolic consequences of obesity."

The quote above is from the abstract of the journal.

AZackery

Well then, perhaps you should listen to what your colleagues are saying?

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sitting/AN02082

I've said what I had to say on the matter. Thanks.