Study Suggests Being Sedentary Is More Dangerous Than Obesity

Study Suggests Being Sedentary Is More Dangerous Than Obesity

According to a report published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, being sedentary is much more dangerous than being obese. The data presented in the report says that leading a sedentary lifestyle is twice as dangerous as being obese and that as little as a 20-minute brisk walk each day can reduce the risk of an early death by up to 30 percent.

Lead author and scientist at the Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit from Cambridge University Ulf Ekelund said that even the smallest increase in physical activity can have significant health benefits. He added that the risk of an early death was reduced for obese, overweight and normal weighing people. Ekelund also added that by eradicating physical inactivity twice as many people could be saved than by eradicating obesity.

The study was based on data gathered from 334,000 men and women over a period of approximately 12 years, including follow-ups. Among the parameters researchers measured were height, weight, waist size and levels of physical activity as reported by study participants.

The researchers found that even the lowest increase in physical activity for anyone who participated in the study was instrumental in lowering the chance of an untimely death. They added that exercise which leads to the burning of anywhere between 90 and 110 calories can reduce the risk of death between 16 and 30 percent.

The best results for moderate exercise were registered for people who have an average weight, however, even morbidly obese people registered promising results.

Posted by George Daniels on Sunday January 18 2015, 4:47 AM EST. Ref: philly. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0