New study confirms negative health impact of prolonged sitting

A new review study has confirmed previous research findings highlighting the potentially serious negative health consequences of long periods of sitting.

Led by Canada's University Health Network, the meta-analysis reviewed studies focused on sedentary behaviour, and showed the amount of time a person sits during the day is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and death, regardless of regular exercise.

However, these negative effects were more pronounced among those who do little or no exercise. As such, it was recommended that sedentary time should be decreased by two to three hours in a 12-hour day.

Future research may be needed to help determine what other interventions beyond physical activity are effective against the health risk of sedentary time.

Dr David Alter, senior scientist at the Toronto Rehab branch of University Health Network (UHN), said: "We need further research to better understand how much physical activity is needed to offset the health risks associated with long sedentary time and optimise our health."

Many adults in the UK spend more than seven hours a day sitting or lying, a figure that increases with age to ten hours or more.