The 2020 World Health Organisation guidelines on physical activity highlighted the importance of reducing sedentary behaviour due to its negative health effects. However, the specific impact of prolonged sitting at work, particularly in the context of varying levels of physical activity, has not been fully explored. A recent prospective cohort study in Taiwan, published earlier this year in JAMA Network Open sheds light on this issue, focusing on the health outcomes associated with occupational sitting among apparently healthy individuals.
The study followed 481,688 participants over an average period of 12.85 years, collecting data on their occupational sitting habits, leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), lifestyle choices, and metabolic health. The findings revealed that individuals who predominantly sat at work had a 16% higher risk of all-cause mortality, and a 34% higher risk of cardiovascular disease mortality compared to those who predominantly did not sit at work. These increased risks persisted even after accounting for factors such as age, sex, education, smoking, drinking, and body mass index.
To counteract the negative effects of prolonged sitting, the study suggests that individuals who sit most of the day at work should aim to add 15 to 30 minutes of physical activity per day. This additional exercise can help mitigate the heightened risks associated with prolonged sitting, bringing the risk level down to that of individuals who do not predominantly sit at work.
The study underscores the importance of integrating more movement into our daily routines, particularly in workplace settings. It suggests that alternating between sitting and non-sitting during the workday, along with engaging in regular physical activity, can significantly reduce the health risks associated with prolonged occupational sitting. Moreover, these findings call for workplace system changes to de-normalise prolonged sitting, much like the successful efforts to reduce smoking.
The BeUpstanding program helps work teams to achieve these behavioural and cultural changes. So, if your team hasn’t taken part yet, or if it has been while, why not sign up to BeUpstanding today!
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