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Belgium spends too much time sitting down, says health institute

11:50 23/09/2015

The average person spends more than nine hours a day sitting down, a situation that is “dangerously unhealthy,” according to a report by the Flemish Institute for Health Care Promotion and Illness Prevention (VIGeZ). 

For most of us, the better part of the day is taken up with sitting still, either at school or at work. Children in primary school are seated for 40% of their time; secondary school students for 50%. Office workers and executives sit down for 70% of their working hours. And they all come home in the evening to sit down again, at the dinner table and in front of TV or computer screens.

Recent research has shown that sitting too much can increase the risk of colon cancer, diabetes, depression and premature death. Scientists have estimated that, in its effects on health, sitting is as dangerous as smoking.

But “even health professionals and policymakers are insufficiently aware of the risks of sitting on health,” the report’s authors said. “We have bundled all of the scientific information in a report for them.”

The report advises limiting the time spent sitting still and to stand up every 20 to 30 minutes to stretch one’s legs or to make a phone call, for example. Standing up takes little effort and reduces the ill-effects of sitting considerably.

“The theme of sedentary behaviour will be on the agenda in the run-up to the health conference in 2016, which will determine the future of Flanders’ health policy in the areas of nutrition and movement,” said Flemish welfare minister Jo Vandeurzen.

Photo: Ingimage

 

Written by Alan Hope