Sitting is the new smoking — Snapshot
An unlikely duo, both sitting and smoking are known to have negative effects on human health and can materially shorten healthspan, the length of time a person is able to live in a healthy and functional state. These two activities have been linked to an increased risk of chronic ailments such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer, to name a few (see reference citations below).
One of the main similarities between sitting and smoking is that they both increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Sitting for long periods of time, also known as sedentary behavior, has been shown to lead to a decrease in blood flow and an increase in blood pressure. This can contribute to a higher risk of heart attack or stroke. Similarly, smoking is a known risk factor for heart disease, as it increases the likelihood of clogged arteries and blood clots.
Both sitting and smoking have also been linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer. Prolonged sitting has been associated with an increased risk of colon, endometrial, and lung cancer. Similarly, smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and is linked to an increased risk of several other types of cancer, including bladder, kidney, and throat cancer.
Additionally, both sitting and smoking have been linked to an increased risk of diabetes, which alarmingly has seen a rapid rise in recent years. Sitting for long periods of time has been shown to lead to a decrease in insulin sensitivity and an increase in blood sugar levels, both of which can contribute to the development of diabetes. Smoking has also been linked to an increased risk of diabetes, as it can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, which in turn can damage cells and contribute to the development of diabetes.
In recent years, there have been several lifestyle trends that have led to an increase in prolonged sitting. One of the main culprits is the widespread use of technology. As more people spend their days working on computers and staring at screens, they also tend to spend more time sitting. The rise of telecommuting and remote work has also contributed to this trend, as many people now work from home and may be less inclined to move around and take active breaks throughout the day.
Another trend that has led to prolonged sitting is the increase in sedentary leisure activities. With the advent of streaming services and online gaming, many people are now spending more time watching TV and playing video games, both of which involve prolonged periods of sitting.
Moreover, convenience in transportation options is a major contributor to prolonged sitting, as people spend more time in cars, buses, and trains. This is particularly prevalent in areas with limited options available for people to get to work or school on foot or bike.
It is important to be aware of these trends and to make a conscious effort to incorporate more movement into our daily routines. Now more than ever, we have to be mindful of how much time we spend sitting and to try to incorporate more active forms of leisure, such as playing sports or going for a hike.
In the next article, I’ll discuss ideas that entice activities to circumvent the negative effective of prolonged sitting.
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Reference citations:
(1) Dunstan, D. W., Kingwell, B. A., Larsen, R., Healy, G. N., Cerin, E., Hamilton, M. T., … & Owen, N. (2016). Breaking up prolonged sitting reduces the postprandial glucose response. Diabetes Care, 39(4), 661–666.
(2) Biswas, A., Oh, P. I., Faulkner, G. E., Bajaj, R. R., Silver, M. A., Mitchell, M. S., … & Alter, D. A. (2015). Sedentary time and its association with risk for disease incidence, mortality, and hospitalization in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of internal medicine, 162(2), 123–132.
(3) Wilmot, E. G., Edwardson, C. L., Achana, F. A., Davies, M. J., Gorely, T., Gray, L. J., … & Yates, T. (2016). Sedentary time in adults and the association with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and death: systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetologia, 59(11), 2281–2291.
(4) Powell, K. E., Paluch, A. E., & Blair, S. N. (2011). Physical inactivity: the biggest public health problem of the 21st century. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 45(1), 15–24.
