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People who decrease sitting & increase physical activity=lower risk chronic disease!

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  • People who decrease sitting & increase physical activity=lower risk chronic disease!

    Jan. 15, 2014 — People who decrease sitting time and increase physical activity have a lower risk of chronic disease, according to Kansas State University research.

    Even standing throughout the day -- instead of sitting for hours at a time -- can improve health and quality of life while reducing the risk for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, breast cancer and colon cancer, among others.

    The researchers -- Sara Rosenkranz and Richard Rosenkranz, both assistant professors of human nutrition -- studied a sample of 194,545 men and women ages 45 to 106. The data was from the 45 and Up Study, which is a large Australian study of health and aging.

    "Not only do people need to be more physically active by walking or doing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, but they should also be looking at ways to reduce their sitting time," Richard Rosenkranz said.

    The twofold approach -- sitting less and moving more -- is key to improving health, the researchers said. People often spend the majority of the day being sedentary and might devote 30 to 60 minutes a day to exercise or physical activity, Sara Rosenkranz said. Taking breaks to stand up or move around can make a difference during long periods of sitting.

    Sitting for prolonged periods of time -- with little muscular contraction occurring -- shuts off a molecule called lipoprotein lipase, or LPL, Sara Rosenkranz said. Lipoprotein lipase helps to take in fat or triglycerides and use it for energy.

    "We're basically telling our bodies to shut down the processes that help to stimulate metabolism throughout the day and that is not good," Sara Rosenkranz said. "Just by breaking up your sedentary time, we can actually upregulate that process in the body."

    In a previous study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, the researchers found that the more people sit, the greater their chances of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and overall mortality.

    For the more recent study, the researchers wanted to take a positive approach and see if increasing physical activity helped to increase health and quality of life. The researchers want to motivate people -- especially younger people -- to sit less and move more so they can age easier with less chronic disease.

    "There is only so far that messages about avoiding diseases can go, especially when talking about chronic disease because it is so far removed and in the future," Richard Rosenkranz said. "For young people, being motivated by avoiding diseases is probably not the most pressing matter in their lives. We wanted to look at excellent health and excellent quality of life as things to aspire to in health."

    To help office workers and employees who often sit for long periods of time, the researchers suggest trying a sit/stand desk as way to decrease sedentary time and add physical activity into the day. A sit/stand desk or workstation can adjust up and down so employees can add more standing time to their days. There are even sit/stand desks for children to stand and do homework or projects.


    Felt this just might lead some of us to a better, longer life! Joan

  • #2
    Re: People who decrease sitting & increase physical activity=lower risk chronic disease!

    Yes Joan, alright for office workers, but what about, drivers of railway trains and heavy goods vehicles, and pilots of long haul aircraft?

    The first two would require a second driver, but the planes usually have two pilots.

    However, in general, I do agree with the findings.

    Ranald

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    • #3
      Re: People who decrease sitting & increase physical activity=lower risk chronic disease!

      I agree completely Joan, and have been watching these studies unfold recently. It's one of those things that makes intuitive good sense too and I've been looking for an affordable stand-up desk since I'm usually sitting in front of a computer screen when not standing in front of a classroom. Thanks!

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      • #4
        Re: People who decrease sitting & increase physical activity=lower risk chronic disease!

        Not that I'm saying this study is wrong but I wonder at the waste of money studying something which is obviously just common sense. A study was released here the other day stating that mothers who work only part time are less stressed than those who work full time and are able to spend more quality time with their kids. Duh!!!! Did they really need to spend all that money to find out something which any mother could have told them?

        Elda

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        • #5
          Re: People who decrease sitting & increase physical activity=lower risk chronic disease!

          Quite agree!

          And how about the survey that said bacon was bad for you? As if I'd give up my bacon buttie!

          Alastair

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