'Our chairs are killing us,' say researchers

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-09/ehs-ca091115.php

Public Release: 15-Sep-2015
'Our chairs are killing us,' say researchers
Both sedentary behavior and lack of physical activity linked with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in large study of middle-aged Koreans, reports the Journal of Hepatology
Elsevier Health Sciences

Prolonged sitting time as well as reduced physical activity contribute to the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a study of middle-aged Koreans. These findings support the importance of both reducing time spent sitting and increasing physical activity, say researchers. Their results are published in the Journal of Hepatology.

Physical activity is known to reduce the incidence and mortality of various chronic diseases. However, more than one half of the average person's waking day involves sedentary activities associated with prolonged sitting such as watching TV and using the computer and other devices.

Recently, attention has focused on the damaging effects of sedentary behavior regardless of additional physical activity. A growing number of epidemiologic studies have suggested an association between sedentary behavior and chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and even death that is distinct from those related to a lack of physical activity. This association was still observed among patients participating in high levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity, indicating that regular high levels of physical activity do not fully protect against the risks associated with prolonged periods of sedentary behaviors.

•••••