Sitting a lot, despite exercise, increases the risk of dying from 13 diseases, research shows.
The results of research by the American Cancer Society show that people who sit for six or more hours a day have a 19 percent higher risk of premature death than people who sit for less than three hours.
Sitting a lot can cause a higher risk of death from cancer, heart problems, stroke, diabetes, lung and liver problems, ulcers, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and more.
The survey included 128.000 women and men. At the beginning of the study, there were no persons suffering from major chronic diseases. During a follow-up period of 21 years, nearly 49.000 people died.
Alpa Patel, who led the research, said that a lot of sitting increases the risk of dying from cancer by ten percent, and problems related to the musculoskeletal system increase by 60 percent.
"The less you sit, the better it is for you," said Patel, who said standing for two minutes or doing light activity after an hour of sitting can help improve cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.
The results of the research were published in the "American Journal of Epidemiology", reports Nezavisne.
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