1 in 4 adults in the United States sits more than 8 hours a day

TUESDAY, Nov. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) – Couch Potato Nation: Nearly half of Americans sit too long a day and do no exercise, a new study reveals.

A survey of approximately 5,900 adults found that about 26% of people sat more than eight hours a day, 45% did not exercise moderately or vigorously during the week, and about 11% sat for more than eight hours. per day and were physically inactive. .

"Being sedentary increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and premature death," said lead author Emily Ussery. She is an epidemiologist with the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, which is part of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Ussery pointed out that the sitting position may not have been bad in itself, but that it did not allow enough exercise.

The co-author of the study, Peter Katzmarzyk, added: "In recent years, we have begun to understand the risks of an excessive sitting position for health."

Although we do not know all the reasons why a prolonged sitting position is unhealthy, Katzmarzyk speculates that "when sitting people turn on, they turn off the big muscles in their legs, resulting in many metabolic consequences that seem harmful ".

Katzmarzyk, Associate Executive Director of Public Health Sciences and Population at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, La, said Katzmarzyk: "Programs that increase physical activity and reduce sitting posture could be particularly effective reduce health risks, "he said.

Another health expert accepted.

"The three leading causes of premature death in the United States over the past 25 years and over are smoking, poor diet, and a lack of physical activity," said Dr. David Katz, director of the research center Yale-Griffin Prevention Yale University. .

While smoking has decreased, poor nutrition and lack of exercise are becoming the leading causes of premature death and chronic disease, he said.

Many people spend most of the day sitting and doing little exercise. "One in ten lacks the benefits of exercise and intermittent daily movements," Katz said.

Getting up, moving more and sitting down can be good for your health, he said.

"With a menu of more and more options, ranging from standing desks and treadmills, to walking meetings and chairs that involve constant movement – it's a step that should almost all help to find a way to take it, "said Katz.

The new edition of the US Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans says that any physical activity, even two minutes worth, can have huge health benefits.

At the recent publication of the new guidelines, Ambassador Brett Giroir, Assistant Secretary of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, said: "Physical activity is about finding opportunities to move everything throughout the day as part of a greater commitment to living health. "

In the United States, 10% of early deaths are inactive, according to Giroir. If 25% of inactive people had at least the recommended 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week, nearly 75,000 premature deaths could be prevented.

According to the new guidelines:

• A simple physical activity can sharpen your mind, reduce your anxiety, your blood pressure, improve your sleep and strengthen your body's ability to convert blood sugar into energy.
• Regular physical activity can improve your brain health, reduce your risk of developing eight different forms of cancer and your risk of excessive weight gain.
• Chronic health problems enhanced by physical activity include osteoarthritis, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, anxiety, and depression.

The last report was published on November 20 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

More information

Visit the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to learn more about physical activity.