Sedentary
lifestyle is defined as inactivity or any activity that does not require higher
than normal levels of energy expenditure. This class of activity includes
sitting, sleeping, and laying down. In the Physical Activity Council’s 2015
Participation Report, it was found that there was an increase in the amount of sedentary
activity in the United States. Research suggests that roughly 25 to 35% of the
US adults live a sedentary lifestyle.
lifestyle is defined as inactivity or any activity that does not require higher
than normal levels of energy expenditure. This class of activity includes
sitting, sleeping, and laying down. In the Physical Activity Council’s 2015
Participation Report, it was found that there was an increase in the amount of sedentary
activity in the United States. Research suggests that roughly 25 to 35% of the
US adults live a sedentary lifestyle.
The age
group that is the most sedentary are adults over the age of 65, with females
being more likely to be sedentary. The increase in sedentary activity in the
United States can be attributed to jobs, technology, and better transportation.
The amount of sedentary jobs increased by 83% from 1950 to 2015. The work week
is also longer, with the average full-time employee working 47 hours per week. Better
technology attributes to longer screen viewing time. The average American
watches 28 hours of TV per week. Better transportation means that people no
longer have to travel long distances by feet or bike. Rather, they can ride
public transportation or drive, which require little energy expenditure.
group that is the most sedentary are adults over the age of 65, with females
being more likely to be sedentary. The increase in sedentary activity in the
United States can be attributed to jobs, technology, and better transportation.
The amount of sedentary jobs increased by 83% from 1950 to 2015. The work week
is also longer, with the average full-time employee working 47 hours per week. Better
technology attributes to longer screen viewing time. The average American
watches 28 hours of TV per week. Better transportation means that people no
longer have to travel long distances by feet or bike. Rather, they can ride
public transportation or drive, which require little energy expenditure.
Sedentary
lifestyle can lead to many health damages and is linked to higher risks of multiple
health issues and disease incidence:
lifestyle can lead to many health damages and is linked to higher risks of multiple
health issues and disease incidence:
- Obesity – In the United States,
approximately 35% or adults and 17% of children are obese. Obesity is linked to
multiple health risks, such as: cancer, hypertension, and increased mortality.
Sedentary lifestyle is highly correlated with obesity.
- Colon and Breast Cancer – Sedentary
individuals have a higher risk of colon and breast cancer. Increase risk in
colon cancer could be due to the fact waste stays in the colon longer when
individuals are inactive. Breast cancer risk is 30%-40% higher in sedentary
women, however, the reason behind this is still under research.
- Diabetes – Sedentary activity is highly
correlated with diabetes. In a study from the International Journal of
Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, they found that the risk of
diabetes is increased when individuals sit for more than 4 hours a day.
- Stroke – Sedentary individuals are more
likely to have a stroke. This is because sedentary individuals are more likely
to have hypertension, diabetes, obesity, which also increases the risks of
strokes.
- Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) – Sedentary
individuals are at a greater risk of mortality from CVD than active
individuals. Sedentary individuals are at a 30%-50% higher risk of dying from
CVD.
Blog Post by Summer 2016 Intern June
Yao.
Yao.
