What’s wrong with sitting too long? Early death, according to researchers

In their study, researchers analysed data collected from people with full-time employment over the age of 20 who were part of an annual or biannual health check-up programme in Taiwan between 1996 and 2017. The analysis excluded people with pre-existing cardiovascular disease diagnoses.

Short, intense workouts can be as healthy as 30 minutes of daily exercise

In questionnaires given during each check up, participants had been asked if they were “mostly sitting, mostly sitting and standing while performing repetitive motions in the course of work [or] standing and walking around most of the time”.

Lead author Wayne Gao, an associate professor of the College of Public Health at Taipei Medical University, said simple steps could reduce the health risks of sitting for too long.

7 lifestyle changes confirmed by science that help lower cancer risk

“People should break up prolonged sitting by getting moving regularly. Hourly reminders on the phone to take 300 to 500 steps are helpful,” he said.

The team also said employers could designate break times for office staff and areas for leisure-time physical activity, as well as organise group activities, to help workers stay active.