Office Chair Risk: 16% Risk of Early Death

Did you know that spending your day glued to your office chair could lead you closer to death? Yeah, it's a bit of a shocker, but research suggests that living the desk jockey life can hike up your risk of early death by a startling 16 per cent.

The research published in the journal JAMA Network Open and conducted in Taiwan with 4,81,688 participants over approximately 13 years revealed that:

• those who predominantly stayed glued to their workstations faced a 34 per cent higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease (CVD), and

• a 16 per cent increased likelihood of death from all causes compared to their more active counterparts

Let's dive into what's going on here.

When we're sitting, we're not taking a load off our feet; but putting a load on our health. Our bodies are designed to move, and when we don't, things start to go haywire.

Obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and unhealthy cholesterol levels are all part of the not-so-fun package that comes with too much sitting. They're like the sinister squad of metabolic syndrome, and they're all linked to heart disease and cancer.

Our bodies are designed to move, and when we don't, things start to go haywire.

Wait, there’s more. Studies have found that if you're clocking in more than eight hours of seat time a day without any physical activity, your risk of kicking the bucket is similar to the risks posed by obesity and smoking. That's right, smoking!

And if you thought hitting the gym after work would undo all the threats posed by sitting, think again. Even if you're sweating it out during your off-hours, sitting for prolonged periods can still affect your health.

Deskercise

It is a term that combines "desk" and "exercise", referring to physical activities that can be performed while sitting at a desk or in an office environment.

These exercises are designed to promote health and fitness for individuals who spend a significant portion of their day seated, often due to the nature of their work.

Deskercise routines typically include stretches and strength-building movements that can be integrated into the workday without requiring special equipment or a lot of space.

Deskercise refers to physical activities that can be performed while sitting at a desk.

Conclusion 

Experts have a clear message: less sitting and more moving are essential for better health. Reducing sedentary behaviour not only lowers the risk of premature death, but also contributes to the prevention of metabolic syndrome, obesity, and other associated health conditions.

Reference: Jama Network