Sitting for long hours at your desk? It can kill you
Prolonged uninterrupted sitting leads to health risks like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and all-cause mortality.
By PTI | Updated:
HOUSTON: Sitting for too long without taking a break may increase a wide range of health risks, even if one engages in recommended amounts of physical activity, scientists say.
Further studies are needed to determine "the most effective and practical interventions for reducing habitual sitting," said Linda Eanes from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in the US.
"Nurses have a pivotal role to play in increasing public awareness about the potential adverse effects of high-volume and prolonged uninterrupted sitting," Eanes said.
In recent years, studies have shown a direct relationship between prolonged sitting and the risk of several chronic health conditions.
Fitness Regime For The Busy Executive
1/7
Hectic schedules and full-time jobs don't have to get in the way of your weight loss.
Stick to these tips to get past the roadblocks.
Hectic schedules and full-time jobs don't have to get in the way of your weight loss.
Stick to these tips to get past the roadblocks.
Maintaining a to-do list is your thing, so just sneak in that gym/yoga/zumba appointment too.
We agree that there is a lot to do, but you can surely take some time out for achieving your fitness goals.
Maintaining a to-do list is your thing, so just sneak in that gym/yoga/zumba appointment too.
We agree that there is a lot to do, but you can surely take some time out for achieving your fitness goa..
Read More
Working out first thing in the morning guarantees that the job is done before excuses begin to pop up.
The first few mornings will be hard, but the more you will force yourself to do it, the easier it will eventually become.
Working out first thing in the morning guarantees that the job is done before excuses begin to pop up.
The first few mornings will be hard, but the more you will force yourself to do it, the easier ..
Read More
Maintain a calorie journal! Yes, it sounds too much, but it totally helps.
If you don't want to write it down, you can also do it via various apps.
Filling out your servings will help you realise and keep a tab on your portion size, and the need to exercise control.
Maintain a calorie journal! Yes, it sounds too much, but it totally helps.
If you don't want to write it down, you can also do it via various apps.
Filling out your servings will help you realise a..
Read More
Initially it might seem like a lot of effort, but in the long run it will save you a lot of time.
Planning lunch ahead of time will help you stick to the healthy options instead of buying a greasy slice of pizza.
Plus, once you invest in the ingredients and they are readily available in your kitchen, there will be no excuse for not packing a nutritious lunch.
Initially it might seem like a lot of effort, but in the long run it will save you a lot of time.
Planning lunch ahead of time will help you stick to the healthy options instead of buying a greasy s..
Read More
Instead of hitting up the vending machine or office candy bowl for an afternoon snack, carry at least five pieces of fresh fruit each week and display them on your desk on Monday morning.
Whenever you want a snack, just stretch your hand out!
These munchies will be light and nutritious and will prevent you from overeating, later in the day.
Instead of hitting up the vending machine or office candy bowl for an afternoon snack, carry at least five pieces of fresh fruit each week and display them on your desk on Monday morning.
Whenever y..
Read More
Just because you are trying to adhere to a fitness regime, does not mean you stop having fun.
Stick to having one drink only, and may be choose white wine over anything else, savour it and sip it slowly.
Just because you are trying to adhere to a fitness regime, does not mean you stop having fun.
Stick to having one drink only, and may be choose white wine over anything else, savour it and sip it sl..
Increased health risks have been reported both for high-volume sitting, such as sitting for seven or more hours per day, and for prolonged uninterrupted sitting, such as sitting for 30 minutes or longer without a break.
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The health risks of prolonged sitting are independent of whether the person participates in recommended physical activity, according to the study published in the American Journal of Nursing.
Eanes summarised pivotal studies showing the association between high-volume and prolonged uninterrupted sitting and health risks including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and all-cause mortality.
In conjunction with obesity, sedentary time is also linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, including ovarian, endometrial, and colon cancer.
Immobility decreases stimulation of weight-bearing muscles, leading to decreased activity of an enzyme (lipoprotein lipase) that plays an essential role in lipid metabolism, including production of "good" cholesterol as well as uptake of glucose from the blood.
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In contrast, breaking up sedentary times with frequent bouts of standing or slow walking may reduce these metabolic risks -- although the optimal levels of standing or walking remain unclear, researchers said.
Nurses and other healthcare professionals now have a new priority: educating patients about the health risks of prolonged sedentary time and making suggestions to reduce and interrupt sitting times.
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Proposed interventions include using a standing desk or taking frequent walking or standing breaks, as well as the use of computer or smartphone reminders to take brief physical activity breaks during the day.
In contrast to efforts to increase physical activity, merely providing people with information and education might be effective in promoting reduction of sedentary behaviour, researchers said.
"Nurses can also actively encourage all patients, regardless of demographics, to balance sedentary behaviour and physical activity simply by taking more frequent standing or walking breaks," Eanes writes.
Work-Health Balance: Diabetes Checklist For High-Flying CEOs
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If you have already been diagnosed with diabetes, here are 10 things to keep in mind when you travel by air.
If you have already been diagnosed with diabetes, here are 10 things to keep in mind when you travel by air.
Carry a medical ID that states that you have diabetes, just in case of an emergency.
Carry a medical ID that states that you have diabetes, just in case of an emergency.
Pack twice as much blood-testing supplies and diabetes medication as you think you may need. This could include insulin, other antidiabetes medication, syringes, glucose meter (with extra batteries), candy/sugar (in case of a low-blood sugar/hypoglycaemia episode). Carry your prescription with you.
Pack twice as much blood-testing supplies and diabetes medication as you think you may need. This could include insulin, other antidiabetes medication, syringes, glucose meter (with extra batteries),..
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Don't keep your insulin in your check-in luggage as it could get affected by changes in temperature and cabin pressure.
Don't keep your insulin in your check-in luggage as it could get affected by changes in temperature and cabin pressure.
Inform the security about medication in your baggage or if you are wearing an insulin pump.
Inform the security about medication in your baggage or if you are wearing an insulin pump.
If you inject insulin, do so only when you see the cabin crew come down the aisle with the serving tray. If you take your insulin too much in advance, the delay in the meal reaching you could lead to a drop in your blood sugar.
Be careful while injecting insulin in the plane as the pressure difference could affect the plunger of the syringe.
If you inject insulin, do so only when you see the cabin crew come down the aisle with the serving tray. If you take your insulin too much in advance, the delay in the meal reaching you could lead to..
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Eat a meal that is low in fat, cholesterol and sugar.
Eat a meal that is low in fat, cholesterol and sugar.
If you are crossing a time zone, remember, travelling west makes you gain time and travelling east makes you lose time. This could affect your meals and how much medication you need.
If you are crossing a time zone, remember, travelling west makes you gain time and travelling east makes you lose time. This could affect your meals and how much medication you need.
Check your blood sugar after you land.
Check your blood sugar after you land.
Keep track of your glucose after you land, since jet lag can make it harder to interpret if your blood sugar is low or high.
Keep track of your glucose after you land, since jet lag can make it harder to interpret if your blood sugar is low or high.
