Sitting for 8 hours: Worse than smoking?

Have you ever considered that sitting at your desk could be as detrimental to your health as smoking? Well, if you spend hours on your rear, start worrying, experts say. Blood clots, cardiovascular disease, weight gain, diabetes—the hazards are real. 

The reality TV world may contend that crab fisherman have the deadliest job, but “desk jockey” may not be far behind. People are increasingly becoming more sedentary, and our bad habits are pushing us towards a healthcare epidemic. 

America in crisis

According to Steve Blair’s report to the American Psychological Association, physical inactivity is the “biggest public health concern of the 21st century.” A professor of exercise science and epidemiology at the University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health, and the senior scientific editor of the 1996 U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health, Blair has conducted extensive, long-term studies on the effects of inactivity on Americans.

Nearly 50 million Americans are sedentary, his research has determined, and their risk of developing “numerous health conditions” is double compared to those who are moderately active. In fact, Age and Aging has reported that sitting daily for long periods, as well as decreased activity more generally, lead to higher rates of mortality, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, poor cholesterol, and obesity.

At the University of Western Australia, researchers concluded that that several other factors associated with desk jobs contribute to poor health. Fluorescent lighting and maintaining a constant focus on a computer screen can result in chronic migraines. Meanwhile, working long hours has been shown to increase the risk of short-term memory loss, potentially leading to dementia.

If you’re a frequent flyer you’ve probably heard the warning that sitting in your seat for long flights may cause blood clots. This is also true for sitting for extended durations at your desk in an office. The longer you’re in the chair, the higher your risk for developing deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolisms.

Employers to the Rescue

Employers can take simple steps to help ease this potential crisis.

• Encourage healthier lifestyles.
  Help establish weight loss challenges and walking clubs, replace birthday cakes with fruit platters and offer healthier options in vending machines. You can post charts in the bathrooms listing calories burned by particular activities or demonstrating simple exercises people can do at their desks. (Check out this great infographic of the danger of sitting all day.)

• Remind workers to take computer breaks.
  People need to rest their eyes. A break or lunch room with natural lighting can be a big relief for those who are putting in more screen time than is good for their physical and mental health.

• Offer alternative seating solutions.
  Provide balance balls, which help provide muscle engagement and encourage balance and good posture. Employees can switch out their desk chairs for an hour or two a day. Also experiment with standing desks and kneeling desks. These aren’t for everyone, but you can introduce the option.

• Partner with a local fitness club.
  See if you can work out a deal so your employees get membership discounts or perks. Investigate whether your health insurance provider offers health lifestyle mentoring and guidance programs in exchange for lower premiums.

The chronic diseases that result from inactivity can be prevented and in some cases even reversed. By taking steps to ensure a healthier workforce, you can keep costs from spiraling out of control.

 

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By Angela Stringfellow. Angela is a PR and marketing communications consultant and social media strategist.