News: Is sitting less more important than regular exercise?
Updated: Jul. 16, 2019
If you sit all day, you might want to start making excuses to get out of your chair. A new
If you sit all day, you might want to start making excuses to get out of your chair.
A new study from the University of Leicester shows that moving around throughout the day is more important than regular exercise for preventing type 2 diabetes.
“Sedentary behaviour may be a more effective way to target the prevention of type 2 diabetes, rather than just solely focusing on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Moreover, sedentary time occupies large portions of the day, unlike MVPA,” Joseph Henson from the Diabetes Research Unit at University of Leicester said in a press release.
In an analysis of patients from two studies, researchers found that sedentary time had a negative impact on triacylglycerol and HDL cholesterol levels.
Health Canada currently recommends that adults get 2.5 hours a week of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic activity. Henson suggests that this recommendation "may be more effective still if individuals are further encouraged to simply sit less and move more, regardless of the intensity level."
The main message? Get out of your chair and start moving.
Do you have a desk job? How do you sneak more exercise into your day?
-Katharine Watts, Associate Web Editor
Related:
‘ 7 ways to sneak more exercise into your day
‘ 10 ways to be your healthiest
‘ 5 ways to prevent type 2 diabetes
