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In a stark warning to those with sedentary occupations, Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, highlighted the severe health risks associated with prolonged sitting. In a recent post on the social media platform X.com, Dr. Kumar emphasized that sitting for more than eight hours daily without engaging in physical activity significantly raises the risk of death, equating it to the dangers posed by smoking and obesity.
Dr. Kumar outlined several health hazards linked to extended periods of sitting, including an increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, abdominal obesity, elevated LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, heart attacks, strokes, cancer, and premature death. He stressed the importance of incorporating physical activity into daily routines to mitigate these risks.
“To counter the ill effects of prolonged sitting, it is essential to engage in 60-75 minutes of moderately intense physical activity daily, such as brisk walking, running, or cycling,” Dr. Kumar advised.
However, he cautioned that even regular exercise cannot completely offset the adverse effects if one spends more than 13 hours a day sitting. Dr. Kumar suggested practical measures to reduce sitting time, such as taking five-minute standing or walking breaks every 30-45 minutes and adopting standing work desks.
“Prefer standing work desks, have meetings and coffee breaks in standing position, reduce leisure-time sitting (such as while watching TV, mobile phones, other electronic gadgets), and schedule a 45-60 minutes walk daily,” he recommended.
Dr. Kumar’s advice serves as a crucial reminder of the hidden dangers of sedentary lifestyles and the importance of staying active for overall health and well-being.
