Sedentary Behavior and Early Mortality.
I love movies. Could my Netflix binges be deadly?
And Korean and Japanese dramas often get my attention.
But am I putting my health in jeopardy when I binge-watch Guardian: The Lonely and Great God Korean drama) or Erased (Japanese drama)?
Here’s today’s key takeaway:
Spending too much time sitting and not getting enough physical activity can significantly increase your risk of dying from any cause.
That’s the conclusion of an Australian study examining the relationship between sitting time and early mortality risk.
Researchers recently published their findings online in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
A Quick Breakdown of the New Study
The Australian researchers followed a group of individuals over time to observe outcomes.
This prospective study analyzed data from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity, and Lifestyle Study (AusDiab).
They analyzed 5,836 Australian adults.
The researchers calculated participants’ Physical Activity to Sitting Time Balance Index (PASTBI).
This index compares the amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity a person gets to the amount of time they spend sitting.
Study Results
The investigators examined the association between PASTBI and all-cause mortality (death from any cause).
They used statistical models that accounted for other factors that could influence mortality risk (like age, socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, waist circumference, and comorbidities).
The results?
Individuals with a lower PASTBI (meaning more sitting and less physical activity) had a higher risk of dying during the follow-up period.
The study had a median follow-up of 14.3 years.
My Thoughts – Could My Netflix Binges Be Deadly?
No big surprise that the study confirmed sedentary behavior is linked to poorer health outcomes.
However, the study reminds me that physical activity and sedentary time must be considered when evaluating adult health risks.
It builds upon previous studies that have explored the combined impact of physical activity and sedentary time on mortality, emphasizing the value of a single metric like the PASTBI for risk assessment.
Activity Partially Mitigates Sedentary Behavior
Additionally, the study’s findings align with earlier research, demonstrating that higher physical activity levels can mitigate the harmful effects of excessive sitting time.
This finding reinforces that being active can counteract the negative health consequences of a sedentary lifestyle.
The study underscores that it’s not just about how much you sit but also how much you move.
Striking a balance between the two is crucial for promoting better health and reducing mortality risk.
So, I guess my J-dramas are on for tonight, with a movement throughout the day!
Practical Tips — “Exercise Snacks”
Here are some simple ways I get in a few more steps:
- I set my smartwatch to remind me to get up every hour and walk at least 75 steps.
- Rather than calling a colleague, I’ll walk over.
- I successfully start my day: I complete a 30-minute stroll each morning.
Just move!
Exercise Snacks: 7 Tiny Workouts for Big Results
medium.com
Thank you for reading “Could My Netflix Binges Be Deadly?“
