15 Aug Sedentary Lifestyle: How Physical Inactivity Poses a Threat to Your Health
A sedentary lifestyle or inactivity poses several health risks such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.
A sedentary lifestyle is any period of less movement or fewer calories burned, including sitting, lying, or reclining.
The World Health Organization recommends children and adolescents do at least an average of 60 minutes per day of exercise across the week, with moderate to vigorous intensity exercises incorporated at least thrice a week.
Meanwhile, adults are recommended to have at least 150 or 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or at least 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity.
However, a 2022 Philippine Physical Activity Report Card noted that most children and adolescents in the country failed to meet the recommended physical activity for health.
In addition, the WHO also found that nearly one-third of the world’s population is physically inactive.
Sedentary Lifestyle Health Risks
Studies have established that a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- Early death
People experiencing mental disorders will also benefit from regular exercise.
A 2023 study noted that people with schizophrenia have responded positively to yoga as compared to those who have no physical activity intervention.
In addition, people with regular physical activity experience better sleep. Symptoms of depression and anxiety are also improved through regular exercise.
How to Be More Active?
You can start being more active by slowly incorporating physical activity into your routine.
Here are some ways to squeeze in a workout in your routine:
- Walk when going to work
- Have a short walk break
- Invest in a standing desk
- Taking the stairs instead of the elevator
- Walking your pets
- Spending your free time on moving activities instead of watching TV or playing video games
- Doing household chores
Aside from being physically active, it will also help your overall health if you avoid or quit smoking and have a healthy and balanced diet.
Get your next wellness advice through iCare Persona https://icare.com.ph/products/individual-comprehensive/
SOURCE:
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity
https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/336656/9789240015128-eng.pdf?sequence=1
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1728869X22000545