Studies show prolonged sitting can be a silent killer linked to cancer and heart disease

CHAIRS are shaping up as silent killers, with studies linking prolonged sitting with a 24 per cent increase in the likelihood of succumbing to some forms of cancer.

EXECUTIVE .. stressed / upset worker in office

CHAIRS are shaping up as silent killers for too many Australians, with studies linking prolonged sitting with a 24 per cent increase in the likelihood of succumbing to some forms of cancer, heart disease and a host of other preventable diseases.

A new survey by the Baker IDI institute reveals Australians now are more concerned they will die from preventable diseases than accidental injury — however few are doing anything to stop their fears coming true.

Seek employees Jack McLean and Stephanie Paul use both sitting and standing desks in their office. Picture: Ellen Smith

Despite evidence that Australian adults sit for up to nine hours a day, only one in five state they prioritise cutting their chair time in order to protect their health, prompting the Rise and Recharge campaign to get people out of their chairs.

The Baker’s head of physical activity research Prof David Dunstan said it was important people rose from their charts and moved every 30 minutes because even undertaking strenuous exercise after work was not able to offset the damage of prolonged sitting.

“People are more concerned that they will die from a preventable disease than an accidental injury, yet many people simply ignore the steps on a daily basis and sit for so long,” Prof Dunstan said.

“It is not about putting on the runners and the Lycra to go out and sweaty-type exercise. It is essentially just movement of the large muscles.

“The evidence shows that sitting for long periods increases the risk of developing those types of chronic disease — heart disease type 2 diabetes and some cancers — yet Australians continue to underestimate how much time they actually spend sitting.”

The Rise and Recharge campaign includes the launch of a new smartphone app which can track the time people spend sitting and set reminders for them to get up every 30 half-hour to move 15 steps or more.

With a Baker commissioned survey last month finding two-thirds of Australians feared dying of cancer and half were concerned about cancer, yet few were taking action to improve their lifestyle and minimise the danger.

With obesity rates climbing and prolonged sitters facing a 91 per cent increased chance of suffering type 2 diabetes, Prof Dunstan said having standing desks and active workplaces were a great idea, however office workers could take much more simple measures such as taking a few frequent steps around their office.

“Exercise is so important for our health, but it doesn’t counteract all the negative effects of sitting for long periods.”

“When we sit our muscles are idle, the engine is essentially switched off, and we don’t really switch that engine on until we stand up.

“The movement of the muscles is quite beneficial for many of the body’s regulatory process, such as blood sugar levels.”

For further information visit: www.riserecharge.com.

The free Rise & Recharge app is available in the App Store and Google Play.