Obesity

Sitting and Weight Gain

January 26, 2010
By Je Dunn

More and more of us today have jobs that require us to be seated for extended periods of time. This is in contrast to the way things used to be. More often then not people’s jobs would require a decent amount of physical labor.

We are constantly hearing that the rate of obesity in our society is increasing at an alarming rate. Fast food is most often used as the main culprit but the change in our work situations are every bit as much to blame for this expanding problem. (No pun intended!)

Scientific evidence is showing that sitting for long stretches at a time is a major contributor to weight gain and other health problems such as circulation and heart conditions.

This is true even if you exercise on a regular basis.

When you think about it pretty much every thing we do requires sitting to some degree. School, work, watching television, going to the movies, playing video games, attending sporting events, commuting to work the list goes on and on.

The latest research suggest that people that sit more have a greater risk of serious health conditions and even increased mortally rates. This is true even if they exercise on a regular basis.

The scientist have concluded that more benefit is gained by spreading your physical activity throughout the day thus breaking up those long uninterrupted sedimentary periods of time spent sitting at a desk or behind the wheel.

By activity they mean doing simple things such as getting up every twenty minuets or so and stretch your legs with a short walk. Maybe instead of calling or emailing someone in your office walk over and talk to them. Things as simple as that can help make a difference.

Another option if your chained to a desk all day is to replace your office chair with an exercise ball or even an exercise ball chair

By doing this, you will be diverting some of the pressure off your tail bone as well as helping increase the circulation to your legs. Also the subtle motion of balancing yourself on the ball will tone your core muscles.

Results show that we spend over half of our waking hours sitting. It is also now known that lack of movement equals increased health problems and obesity. Bodies in motion are healthier. Not only that, but because of the increased blood flow to the brain you will be sharper and you may also notice a measured reduction in your stress level as well.

Je Dunn has been in the newspaper business for 25 years and has been an online writer since 2001. Je’s latest project is Exercise Ball Workouts.

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