Recently published findings of scientifically proven studies have indicated that sitting for long periods of time, coupled with physical inactivity, is as important a risk factor as chronic disease for early mortality. This risk is reduced in correlation with the amount of physical activity that the individual employs. Sitting for 8 hours a day requires moderate intense physical activity for about 60 – 75 minutes per day to eliminate the risk of earlier death associated with high sitting time. Exercise can still be beneficial if it is spread out during the day. If your schedule does not allow 60 minutes of exercise, then at least 30 minutes a day can be protective in this regard.
But there is more to it. Health problems associated with lack of daily exercise has had a worldwide cost effect to the amount of R2 310 milliard in 2013. This amount reflects direct medical costs and loss of productivity. A study in this regard included economic and population data from 142 countries, representing 93% of the world’s population.
Sources:
Harvard Health Publications, Harvard Medical School. “Get up, stand up, for your health: A little exercise offsets a lot of sitting.” Published online on 18 August 2016.
The Lancet (medical journal). “Does physical activity attenuate, or even eliminate, the detrimental association of sitting time with mortality? A harmonised meta-analysis of data from more than 1 million men and women.” Published online on 27 July 2016.
Sake Rapport, 7 August 2016, p.4. “Sit-sit-so kos die wereld miljarde.”
HEALTH INSIGHT
MARCH 2017