Is sitting as bad for our health as we think?

In recent years, studies have linked sitting for long periods of time to increased health risk, including an earlier death, even for people who are otherwise physically active.

But new research published in the International Journal of Epidemiology is challenging these claims and suggests that sitting may not be so bad after all.
Researchers from the University of Exeter and University College London followed more than 5,000 participants for 16 years, making it one of the longest follow-up studies looking at this area of research. The results show that sitting, either at home or at work, is not associated with an increased risk of dying early.
The authors say the results cast doubt on the benefits of sit-and-stand work stations, which many workplaces have adopted in an attempt to create a healthier work environment.

Participants in the study provided information on total sitting time and on four specific types of sitting behavior: sitting at work; during leisure time; while watching TV; and sitting during leisure time excluding TV. They also submitted details on daily walking habits and time spent on moderate to physical activity.
The results showed that over the 16-year study, none of the sitting modes influenced mortality risk.

The researchers also took into account factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, general health, smoking, alcohol consumption and diet.

Dr. Michael Roizen, Chief Wellness Officer of the Cleveland Clinic, said that all of the research surrounding the health effects of sitting is relatively weak, which accounts for the conflicting results.