Opinion

Too much sitting is harmful

September 16, 2017
Too much sitting is harmful

Ibrahim Al-Ammar

Ibrahim Al-Ammar

Al-Jazirah

MANY people spend nine hours of the day sitting. Sedentary lifestyles are linked to multiple health risks. It can be harmful on the long run since our bodies are not made to sit for long periods.

On the contrary, our bodies are designed to move all the time. Anyone who spends six hours of his day sitting is more susceptible to die within 15 years.

Prolonged sitting leads to obesity. Countless studies show that people who are overweight tend to sit two and a half hours more than their average counterparts. In fact, the harms of prolonged sitting appear immediately.

After two hours of sitting, your cholesterol level increases. After 24 hours, you will be more susceptible to develop diabetes, as your insulin level will not be as effective.

The problem is that today’s jobs require people to sit for far too long. There is, however, a solution: standing and moving as long as possible. One can walk a little in the office or stretch.

Sitting for lengthy hours in the office and at home complicates matters. A person who spends three hours sitting and watching the TV every day is 64 percent at more risk of death, even if he works out daily.

Numerous scientific journals have published studies about the harmful effects of prolonged sitting. They indicate that it leads to people gaining weight.

Our human bodies have enzymes that burn fat. When we sit, the enzymes stop functioning while cholesterol increases, blocking arteries and leading to heart disease.

According to some studies, heart diseases have increased threefold in today’s society due to too much sitting.

The same studies recommend that one should stand while working and alternate between sitting and standing to fight heart diseases and help the body burn fat. They indicate that standing could burn 60 calories an hour.


September 16, 2017
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