A sedentary lifestyle, characterised by minimal physical activity and prolonged sitting or lying down, may seem appealing to many, but it poses significant risks to your health. While the convenience of staying inactive can be tempting, time and again, health experts have emphasised the importance of regular exercise. To the contrary, a sedentary lifestyle contributes to a range of health issues, doing more harm than good. Now, a recent study has highlighted the dangers of physical inactivity, linking it to as many as 19 distinct health problems.
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About The Study
The new study conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Iowa looked at the health outcomes of patients categorised as inactive, insufficiently active, or active using the Exercise Vital Sign (EVS) screener. Researchers collected data from a midwestern university hospital between November 2017 and December 2022 to understand how physical activity affects health.
The study published in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease analysed data from 40,706 adult patients attending routine checkups. Of these, 7,261 patients were screened for inactivity using the EVS questionnaire, while 33,445 were not screened. Patients who were screened reported their weekly minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, which was categorised as inactive (0 minutes), insufficiently active (1–149 minutes), or active (≥150 minutes).
Lucas Carr, associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Psychology and the study's corresponding author, said, "This two-question survey typically takes fewer than 30 seconds for a patient to complete, so it doesn't interfere with their visit. But it can tell us a whole lot about that patient's overall health.
Study Findings
Researchers gathered basic details, pulse rates, and medical conditions from patients' records and used the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index to measure health risks. They found that screened patients were much healthier, with lower rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.
Among 7,261 patients, 60% were active, 36% were insufficiently active, and 4% were inactive. Active patients exercised more (5 days a week for 60 minutes) and had better health outcomes, such as lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides, compared to inactive and insufficiently active patients. They also had fewer health conditions, with inactive patients averaging 2.2 conditions, insufficiently active patients 1.5, and active patients 1.2. Active patients had significantly lower rates of 19 inactivity-related conditions, like obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
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Sedentary Lifestyle Associated With 19 Health Problems
In the screened group, physical activity levels were strongly linked to better health. Active patients had much lower risks of 19 chronic conditions, listed below:
- Obesity
- Liver disease
- Depression
- Heart valve disease
- Psychoses
- Chronic lung disease
- Neurological seizures
- Coagulopathy (blood clotting disorders)
- Weight loss issues
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Controlled hypertension
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Anaemia deficiency
- Neurological disorders affecting movement
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Autoimmune disease
- Drug abuse
- Hypothyroidism
- Congestive heart failure
How To Break The Habit
Some of the ways to break the habit of physical inactivity and lead a more active lifestyle include:
- Add short bursts of activity, like a 5-minute walk after meals.
- Aim for 10,000 steps or 30 minutes of exercise each day.
- Stand or stretch every 30 minutes.
- Find exercises you like, such as swimming or dancing.
- Alternate between sitting and standing while working.
- Opt for walking or cycling for short trips.
- Stay motivated with group activities or classes.
- Do squats while brushing your teeth or take the stairs.
- Plan activities with friends or family.
- Use an app to monitor your activity and celebrate milestones.
Conclusion
We all know how a sedentary lifestyle can negatively impact our health, increasing the risk of various health issues. The study mentioned further emphasises the importance of physical activity for our well-being. It's time to break the habit of inactivity and make a conscious effort to lead a more active life. Take control of your health and embrace a lifestyle that encourages movement.