Taking Short Breaks From Sitting May Benefit Your Health

A research team led by Genevieve N. Healy of the Cancer Prevention Research Centre, at the University of Queensland, in Herston, Australia reported their studies in the European Heart Journal. Studies have shown that people who take frequent breaks from sitting are less at risk of having cardiovascular problems. Even those who routinely go to the gym are at such risk by not taking the necessary breaks. Activities done before and after a workout also have an impact on one's health. Remaining sedentary for long periods of time can lead to a heavier waist, increased body inflammation, lower levels of good cholesterol, and higher blood pressure. There is a correlation between developed countries, as the United States and Europe has the highest premature death rate due to heart disease. Healy and her colleagues collected a survey from 4, 800 American men and women between 2003 and 2006. The participants in the survey were required to wear an accelerometer at their hip to monitor their activity. Participants were also measured by risk factors that could contribute to heart disease such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and waist circumference. The most sedentary participants sat a little more than 21 hours, while participants who were more active sat just under two hours a day. For Caucasian participants, the longer they were sitting the bigger chance they had of having a larger waist circumference. Racial factors correlated with this factor as well. Mexican-Americans did not seem to be impacted by the association, but African Americans showed opposite results.
Overall it is recommended that people take activity breaks. According to this study the longer you sit during the day can factor your chances of being obese, and suffering from cardiovascular disease. Along with exercise it is important to take a break from activities which require sitting. This factor is at a larger risk towards African Americans and Caucasians. People are encouraged to partake in small breaks while working on tedious tasks. "Stand up, move more, more often."