Health hazards of sitting
Apparently, I’m ruining my body by sitting at my desk typing this very post.
According to experts cited by The Washington Post, sitting for nearly eight hours per day (which is the average for a U.S. adult) causes head-to-toe damage.
Here are some of the more depressing findings, according to the experts:
-Foggy brain: “When we are sedentary for a long time, everything slows, including brain function.”
-Mushy abs: “Tight back muscles and wimpy abs form a posture-wrecking alliance that can exaggerate the spine’s natural arch, a condition called hyperlordosis, or swayback.”
-Colon cancer: “Studies have linked sitting to a greater risk for colon, breast and endometrial cancers.”
-Tight hips: “Studies have found that decreased hip mobility is a main reason elderly people tend to fall.”
Here’s the graphic The Washington Post created with more sitting health hazards.
Marissa Harshman
I'm the health reporter for The Columbian newspaper in Vancouver, Wash. I started at The Columbian -- my hometown newspaper -- in September 2009. Reach me at marissa.harshman@columbian.com or 360-735-4546.