Previous studies have suggested that prolonged sitting time is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in high-income countries. However, it remains unclear whether risks are increasing in low- and middle-income countries.
People who sat for six to eight hours a day had a 12-13 percent higher risk of early death and heart disease, according to a global study of more than 100,000 people in 21 nations, while those who sat for more from eight hours a day there was a terrible 20% higher risk.
Researchers followed individuals for an average of 11 years and found that long periods of sitting were associated with an increased risk of early death and cardiovascular disease. While sitting was problematic in all countries, it was especially in countries with low and lower average incomes.
Those who sat the most and were the least active had the highest risk – up to 50% – while those who sat the most but were also the most active had a significantly reduced risk of about 17%.
Scott Fraser, a professor of health sciences at the University of Simon Fraser, said: “The main message here is to keep sitting to a minimum. If you have to sit down, more exercise at other times of the day will offset this risk.
“For those who sit for more than four hours a day, replacing half an hour with exercise reduces the risk by two percent. Because only one in four Canadians meets the guidelines for activity, there is a real opportunity for people to increase their activity and reduce their chances of early death and heart disease.
The study found a clear link in lower-income countries, leading researchers to suggest that living in higher-income countries is often associated with higher socioeconomic status and higher-paying jobs.
Lear noted: “Clinicians need to focus on less sitting and more activity, as this is a cheap intervention that can be of great benefit.
“But while clinicians need to unleash the message of counteracting sedentary activity, people need to better value their lifestyle and take their health seriously. Our study found that the combination of sitting and inactivity accounted for 8.8% of all deaths, which is close to the contribution of smoking (10.6% in the Lear and Lee study).
“This is a global problem that has an easy solution. Scheduling time to get up from this chair is a great start.
Reference in the magazine:
- Sidong Lee et al. Association of sitting time with mortality and cardiovascular events in high, middle and low income countries. DOI: 10.1001 / jamacardio.2022.1581
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