Sitting too long could increase risk of diabetes

Glued to your office chair? Time to get up and stretch.

A recent study found that sitting for long periods of time can increase your risk for both diabetes and heart disease. The research, conducted at the University of Leicester, combined findings from more than 18 studies with more than 790,000 participants.

Regardless of a person's level of daily exercise, the study showed that individuals who sat for prolonged periods of time during the day had a higher chance--possibly more than double the risk--of developing serious health problems.

Get up and move often

"Many people think that if they work out every day that’s all they need to do," said lead researcher Emma Wilmot, MD. "But those with jobs that require sitting all day may still be at risk."

Wilmot notes that the average adult--during daily activities such as sitting at a desk, driving or watching TV--spends about 50-70 percent of the day sitting down.

The research also highlights the strong link between obesity and diabetes, suggesting that those who are overweight should be even more concerned with getting up and moving throughout the day.

Make small changes in your daily routine

Researchers note that small changes in your daily routine can help break up long periods of being sedentary at a desk or in front of a computer, such as having standing meetings, standing desk arrangements or taking walks during lunch.

Source: Science Daily, WebProNews