A new study claims that thousands of deaths could be prevented if people sat down less.
Researchers from Queens University Belfast and Ulster University have linked it to one in ten deaths.
They also found that a sitting culture in the workplace costs the UK's NHS 700 million pounds a year through conditions like obesity.
They say standing up and walking around could bring some health benefits, but being physically active has a bigger impact.
You know those (annoying) smartwatch prompts to stand up?
Avoidance of sitting is also a way to reduce #healthcare costs, an economic study shows @JECH_BMJ @bmj_company by @leonieheron_qub @QUBelfast https://t.co/d90VQ2LuUu pic.twitter.com/yQiYDEJdH9— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) March 25, 2019
Leonie Heron who put pen to paper on this work told Inverse that she hopes her work has a positive impact on the general population:
"I hope that the public are more aware of how their own behavior affects their health, which in turn costs the healthcare services money. If you are standing or moving while expending more energy, you are no longer sedentary."
"Guidelines have typically focused on achieving more moderate-vigorous physical activity, however there are considerable health benefits from moving from sedentary behaviour to light physical activity."
- Cardiovascular disease
- Type two diabetes
- All-cause mortality
- Colon cancer
- Lung cancer
- Endometrial (uterine) cancer
