On Your Feet Australia
The research is definitive and alarming, sitting for long periods is detrimental to our health. When compared to an individual who rarely sits, the average Australian (who spends 9 hours sitting each day) has a 112% increase in relative risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, a 147% increase in risk for cardiovascular events and 49% greater risk of early death.
As an industry whose livelihood is built around getting people moving, what is most concerning is that these risks remain even if you meet the recommended 30 minutes of daily exercise. In order to reverse the impacts of sedentary behaviour we need to regularly stand up and move around throughout the day. Head of Physical Activity research at Baker IDI, Professor David Dunstan explains that, “Excessive sitting slows the body’s metabolism – which affects our ability to regulate blood sugar and blood pressure, metabolise fat – and may cause weaker muscles and have detrimental effects on our bones.” While reducing time spent sitting should be done in addition to regular exercise, Professor Dunstan says, “The best advice is to stand up, sit less, move more, more often”.
This is the focus of the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute’s ‘Quit the Sit’ day, which encourages all Australians to stand for the day. Held on 11 June, the event aims to raise awareness of the health dangers of too much sitting and raise funds for vital medical research.
To take the ‘Quit the Sit’ challenge, visit www.onyourfeet.org.au.
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