Beware of these 7 health hazards of prolonged sitting!
Do you spend long hours sitting in front of a screen? More than half of people spend six hours sitting down. If you are one of them, you could be at risk of developing these 9 health problems.
When you move around, your muscles release molecules like lipoprotein lipase, which helps process fats and sugars. Spending long hours sitting reduces the production of these molecules, causing you to gain weight. It also increases your risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock
The more time you spend sitting, the higher the risk of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. A study published in the journal Springer Nature found an associationbetween sitting and adverse mental health. It could happen due to a lack of movement or physical exercise. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock
Diabetes happens when the body is not able to produce enough insulin, the hormone to keep blood sugar levels in check. A study published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology found that people who spent five days on bed rest had increased insulin resistance and chances of developing diabetes. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock
Too much sitting and prolonged periods of sitting can increase your risk of developing a heart disease. A study published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercisefound that men who spent more than 23 hours sitting in front of the television were at a higher risk of 64 percent of dying from cardiovascular disease than people who watched television for 11 hours. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock
Deep vein thrombosis is a type of blood clot that mostly affects the legs. When this clot breaks off, it can cut off the blood flow to different parts of the body, which can causea pulmonary embolism. This is a medical emergency that can lead to complications, including death. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock
Sitting all day can lower body muscles to hold you up, leading to muscle atrophy. It is a condition caused by thinning or loss of muscle tissue. You tend to lose 20-40 percent ofyour muscles as you age, and sitting all day will only make it worse. In short, you will have weak legs and glute muscles, which will increase your risk of injury as well. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock