Two research studies recently released confirm what anyone with common sense knows; sitting for long periods of time and over working at our job can have devastating effects on our physical and mental health.

A Danish study published by the British Medical Journal on 5,000 Caucasian males over the age of 40 found that those men who were clinically out of shape and worked longer than the 40 hr work week were 50% more likely to die of heart disease (USA’s #1 killer) than those who worked the same number of hours, yet were in better physical fitness.

Another study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests that the more time we spend sitting down, the shorter our lives may be!

It is theorized that while we sit we engage in other behaviors that may not be healthy (i.e. snacking) and omitting behaviors that are healthy (i.e. exercising). 

Sitting for prolongued periods, in women, also showed a greater incidence of cancer while across the board for both genders cardiovascular disease increased; along with various markers for glucose, blood pressure, triglycerides and other cardiovascular disease.  Overall it seems women had a greater early death-rate than men (40% – 20%).  Researchers have not been able to explain this phenomenon. 

In Health & Service,

Dr. Roland F. Phillips Jr., BA, BS, DC