Encomium
The longer you sit at work, the more the risk of heart diseases and waistline disorder.
A new research shows a link between sedentary work and a bigger waist circumference and higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Scientists suggest ways of avoiding the risk by walking at least seven miles a day or spend seven hours per day upright.
Data used for the research include weight, height and blood pressure, and blood samples. The cardiovascular risks of the participants were also assessed using the Procam risk calculator which takes into account age, sex, family history, blood pressure and metabolic measures.
Statement by the research leader, Dr. William Tigbe of Warwick Medical School at the University of Warwick, read: “Longer time spent in sedentary posture is significantly associated with larger waist circumference, higher triglycerides (fat in the blood) and lower HDL cholesterol, all adding up to worse risk of heart disease. The levels associated with zero risk factors were walking more than 15,000 steps per day, which is equivalent to walking seven to eight miles, or spending seven hours per day upright. Our findings could be used as the basis of new public health targets for sitting, lying, standing and stepping to avoid metabolic risks.
“However, the levels suggested in our research would be very challenging to achieve unless incorporated into people’s occupations.”
A fellow researcher Professor Mike Lean of the University of Glasgow’s School of Medicine said: “Our evolution to become the human species did not equip us well to spending all day sitting down.
“We probably adapted to be healthiest spending seven to eight hours every day on our feet, as hunters or gatherers.
“Our new research supports that idea. The ‘bottom’ line is that if you want to be sure of having no risks of heart disease, you must keep off your bottom.”
