Studies show that spending excessive amounts of time sitting or watching television is linked with chronic health issues such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. Habitual non-exercisers have an increased risk of premature death than people who are highly active. Data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey show that women—especially obese women—spend more time sitting as they grow older. People of both genders with higher levels of education tend to be more sedentary, too. “It appears that there are independent health effects associated with excessive sitting, and that even in people who are meeting the physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week, there are ill health effects associated with sitting excessively during the rest of the day,” Katzmarzyk said. Studies that explore the association between exercise and sedentary behavior consistently show that replacing sitting time with even light activity—even though moderate-to-vigorous activity is preferred— can have a positive effect on health in the long term.
Katzmarzyk will present “Epidemiology of Sedentary Behavior” as part of the symposium “The Physiology of Sedentary Behavior, How Is It Distinguished from Physical Inactivity” on Thursday, Nov. 3, from 3 to 5:15 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix, Regency Ballroom AB.
NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: The Integrative Biology of Exercise 7 meeting will be held in Phoenix, Nov. 2–4, 2016. Read the full program. To schedule an interview with the conference organizers or presenters, contact the APS Communications Office or call 301-634-7209. Find more research highlights in the APS Press Room.
Physiology is the study of how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function in health and disease. Established in 1887, the American Physiological Society (APS) was the first U.S. society in the biomedical sciences field. The Society represents more than 11,000 members and publishes 14 peer-reviewed journals with a worldwide readership.