Prolonged sitting ‘can increase women’s risk of mortality’

Women with highly sedentary lifestyles tend to be at a higher risk of early death than their more active counterparts.

This is the conclusion of a new Cornell University study, which assessed data from around 93,000 postmenopausal US women. Those with more than 11 hours of daily sedentary time faced a 12 percent increase in all-cause premature mortality, compared to those with four hours or less of inactivity.

Females who spent the most time sitting down also saw their risk of death from cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and cancer rise by 13, 27 and 21 percent respectively.

This association remained even when taking into account physical mobility and function, chronic disease status, demographic factors and overall fitness, meaning even those who exercise regularly are at risk.

Cornell University nutritional scientist Rebecca Seguin said: "The assumption has been that if you're fit and physically active, that will protect you … In fact, in doing so you are far less protected from negative health effects of being sedentary than you realise."