Many researchers have linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns, including obesity, increased blood pressure, excess body fat around the waist, back pain and many more. Some of you have probably experienced some of the negative effects of it after long hours of sitting in front of TV or on working chairs.
There was a study compared adults who spent less than 2 hours a day in front of the TV with those who spent more than 4 hours a day of watching time, and found that those with greater time had:
- A nearly 50% increased risk of death from any cause; and
- About a 125% increased risk of events associated with cardiovascular disease, such as chest pain (angina) or heart attack.
Why sitting too long affects your health? Find out here.
Head: Blood clots that form after sitting too rigidly can travel to the brain which may cause stroke.
Lungs: In individuals who experience heart failure, fluids first backs up in the lungs.
Arms: Less physical activity increases the risk of hypertension, or high blood pressure.
Stomach: Sitting too much contributes to obesity and colon cancer. Enzymes in the blood vessels of muscle responsibles for burning fat get shut off, and the body’s method of metabolizing fuels such as glucose and lipids get disturbed.
Neck: Fluid retained in the legs during the day moves to the neck at night and contributes to obstructive sleep apnea.
Heart: A sedentary lifestyle contributes to cardiovascular disease. In people who suffer from heart failure and obstructive sleep apnea, fluid collects in the lungs and neck at night.
Legs: Fluids collects in the legs during sitting. Walking helps to pump it out before it causes problems.
Source: mindbodygreen.com
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