Sitting Can Kill You

We all know that sitting too often and being inactive isn't great for our health, but can it KILL YOU?

A recent study conducted in Canada followed 17,000 over the course of 12 years examining mortality rates and any correlation to sedentary behavior. The results, published in the May 2009 issue of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (2009; 41 [5], 998-1005), compared those mortality rates of participants against baseline results. The researchers identified a "progressively higher risk of mortality across higher levels of sitting." These results were regardless of leisure-time physical activity.

The study authors and researchers emphasized, "In addition to the promotion of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and a healthy weight, physicians should discourage sitting for extended periods of time."

The bottom line? GET UP AND MOVE. Find time throughout the day to walk around and take breaks from your desk or sitting. Stand up even once an hour to stretch and move around.