Half an hour of walking or physical activity daily is advised.
Prolonged sitting exerts pressure on the spine and joints, resulting in back pain.
In modern times, we have been witnessing a barrage of ailments affecting both youngsters and the middle aged. In most cases, our lifestyles are the root of the problem. Medical professionals have a cautionary message for individuals who lead a sedentary lifestyle, spending most of their time working or engaging in idle chatter while seated. When News18 interviewed Dr Priyanka Rohatgi, a clinical nutritionist based in Phoenix, America, about the study, she emphasised that prolonged sitting is extremely detrimental to one’s health. She explained that a sedentary lifestyle can severely impact the body, potentially leading to paralysis. Dr Rohatgi noted that extended periods of sitting can cause multiple health issues simultaneously. Initially, it can lead to back pain, which gradually weakens the bones in the lower back. Prolonged sitting exerts pressure on the spine and joints, resulting in back pain and significant posture problems. This pressure can cause the spine to become misaligned and weaken over time. The muscles around the hips also start to tighten, leading to tension in the hamstring muscles, making leg stretching difficult.
Dr Priyanka Rohatgi said that apart from all this, when you sit in one place for a long time, the blood will start climbing up from the lower part of the legs and the blood will not come down. This will cause swelling in the lower part of the legs. This is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Dr Priyanka Rohatgi advised that the first step is to ensure at least half an hour of walking or any physical activity daily. Even if your job necessitates prolonged sitting, there’s no need to worry. Simply stand up and move around for 5 minutes every half hour. You can perform movements while sitting in your chair to keep your body active.
Recently a study published in the Journal of the Biomedical Central Public Health also emphasised on how harmful sitting for elongated periods are. The study said that people who sit for more than 6 hours and do not drink coffee are at a higher risk of early death than others. It indicates that drinking coffee enhances overall longevity in adults by alleviating metabolic issues. Poor metabolism can lead to increased inflammation in the body, significantly raising the risk of mortality. This risk is further compounded by a lack of physical activity.