Sitting or standing for long periods of time is as deadly a cause of obesity as smoking, eating betel nuts, and drinking alcohol

Studies have confirmed that sitting or standing for long periods of time not only has a great impact on health, but is even one of the main causes of obesity. Doctors point out that a sedentary or standing lifestyle is an important factor causing obesity and shortened life span, as laziness will lower the metabolic rate and easily lead to chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, edema, osteoporosis, etc. It is another emerging fatal cause after smoking, eating betel nuts, and alcoholism, and it should not be underestimated.

Liu Canhong, obesity specialist of the Taiwan Obesity Medical Association and director of the Rehabilitation Medicine Department of Shuanghe Hospital, pointed out that sitting or standing for long periods of time has become a lifestyle habit for the public. In fact, sitting for a long time will relax most muscles and stop the secretion of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), a hormone that breaks down fat in the blood, thereby reducing the amount of fat burned.

Long periods of sitting and standing increase risk of death

In addition, sedentary behavior not only easily causes obesity, increased waist circumference, and shortened life span, but also causes shoulder and neck pain, reduced muscle mass, poor blood circulation, and increases the risk of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain specific cancers.

According to research statistics, sitting for more than 2 hours a day may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease by 20% and 5% respectively. Standing for long periods of time can also cause neck and lower back pain, herniated disc, plantar fasciitis, lower limb edema, varicose veins and other problems. If you sit or stand for more than 2 hours a day, it will also increase the risk of death.

Keep active to reduce health risks

Dr. Liu Canhong emphasized that sitting or standing for long periods of time is as deadly as smoking, eating betel nuts, and drinking alcohol. Whether you are an office worker or an older person, you need to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day to avoid health risks. Some companies abroad have adopted standing desks. Even if you don't have such desks, you should always stretch or stand up every hour to stretch your muscles. The "key is moderation" and you must find a balance between standing and sitting. For example, standing up for 10 minutes every hour to move the joints of your hands and feet may be the best combination.

Improve long-term sitting: push straight body side bend with both hands

Efficacy: It can get rid of stiff muscles, increase joint flexibility, and reduce the risk of abdominal obesity. It strengthens the waist, legs, kidneys and bladder, can regulate body weight, and has a very good improvement effect on people with obesity in the lower body.

step:

1. Sit firmly, lower your head, lean your hands on the table, sit your buttocks on the chair, and push your hands straight.

2. Sit upright, first make your upper body vertical, then swing your upper body to the other side, and repeat the movement alternately.

Improve standing for long periods of time: the Seven Masters and Eight Masters walking method

Efficacy: It can strengthen the waist, legs, kidneys and bladder, regulate body weight, and has a good improvement effect on people with lower body obesity.

step:

1. Every time you take a big step, push off with your heels, straighten your knees, calves and thighs, and point your toes upwards.

2. Put your left and right hands on your waist (with the base of your thumbs on your kidneys), then use a little force to hold the air in your body, and slowly stride forward to the left and right.

3. Generally, after walking for about 10 minutes, you will feel your body become more active.