SITTING behind a desk all day can increase your risk of dying from a heart disease by a third, a study shows.
It increased the chances of an early death from any cause by 16 per cent, Taiwanese researchers found.
GettySitting behind a desk all day can increase your risk of dying from heart disease by a third, a study shows[/caption]
The study of 481,688 people over 13 years found the risks could be offset by 15 to 30 minutes of hard exercise every day.
Dr Min-Kuang Tsai, of Taipei Medical University, said: “Employers can play a role in facilitating this by providing designated areas for leisure time physical activity.
“The fact that there is no increased risk for those who alternate between sitting and non-sitting at work suggests incorporating regular breaks in work settings can be beneficial.
“Our findings offer reassurance that the increased risks for those who are mainly sedentary can be offset by an extra 15 to 30 minutes per day of exercise per day.”
Lazy lifestyles are a top killer, according to the World Health Organization.
Not exercising enough has been linked to higher rates of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer and dementia.
The NHS recommends Brits do some type of physical activity every day and strength training at least twice a week.
They should try and do two-and-a-half hours of moderate intensity activity — like brisk walking — a week, according to the guidelines.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, looked at how sitting at work and exercising in your free time affects health outcomes.
People who spent most of their time sitting were at a greater risk of an early death than those who were on their feet.
But getting in just an extra half hour of exercise a day helped reduce their chances to the same level as those who do not spend most of their time sat down.
Study co-author Dr Wayne Gao said: “Reducing prolonged sitting in the workplace may be beneficial in mitigating the elevated risks of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease.”