Researchers Reveal Lifestyle Sitting All Day Can Increase The Risk Of Heart Disease

Illustration of a woman with a heart attack while sitting (Photo: Freepik/Freepik)

JAKARTA - A recent study revealed that people who spend most of their time sitting while working have a 16 percent higher risk of dying from various causes, compared to those who stand and walk more. The risk of death from heart disease is even higher, reaching 34 percent.

Even so, the researchers emphasized that this risk could be suppressed. Moving for a moment from the desk to run or adding to physical activity 15 to 30 minutes per day has proven to be able to reduce the bad effects of sitting for too long.

The serious risks associated with sitting for a long time while working can be minimized by entering a regular break and increasing physical activity, explained researchers from Taiwan and the United States, quoted from the South Morning China Post website.

They also suggest systemic changes in the workplace, such as providing more frequent breaks, using a standing desk, preparing special spaces for physical activity, and providing gym membership facilities. According to them, these steps can help reduce health risks due to sitting too long.

The study, published on January 19 in the international medical journal JAMA Network Open, involved nearly 500,000 people in Taiwan and lasted for 13 years.

In this study, the researchers analyzed full-time employee data over 20 years of age who took part in the annual health check program or twice a year between 1996 and 2017. Research data do not include employees who already have or are diagnosed with heart disease and cardiovascular disorders.

Each participant is asked to answer a questionnaire about their habit at work, whether they sit more, sit with occasionally standing while making repeated moves, or rather standing and walking.

The results were quite surprising. During the research period, more than 26 thousand deaths were recorded. Of these, about 57 percent came from groups that sit too often, and nearly 60 percent of the cases of death were linked to cardiovascular disease.

Wayne Gao, professor of the Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine Taipei and lead author of the study, emphasized that prevention can actually be done with simple steps.

"We can start by getting used to moving regularly. Use reminders on your phone every hour to walk 300 to 500 steps. That's been very helpful." Gao said.

He also added that light activities such as walking outside of work hours are an effective way to improve physical fitness.

The researchers encouraged the company to participate in maintaining the health of employees. You can do this by providing rest time to move, providing special spaces for physical activity in the office, or holding joint activities so that workers remain active.

In line with that, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that everyone limit seating time and routinely move the body. According to WHO, sitting too long can increase the risk of various serious diseases, ranging from heart, cancer, to type 2 diabetes.