10:31 am, Tuesday 22 May, 2012

A new research conducted by the Chiropractic Association of Australia showed that workers sit up to 16 hours a day, with only a 73-minute window to be upright and active.

The Herald Sun reports that the survey found the victims of the sitting epidemic were getting younger. The survey of 1009 Australians further revealed that office workers had uninterrupted sitting period of up to three hours.

“The shocking realisation that’s come from this research is that we are spending 90 percent of our time sitting,” said chiropractor Dr Simon Floreani.

David Dunstan, Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute Head of Physical Activity, said the research shows that sitting for an extended period of time is linked to weight gain, musculoskeletal problems, type 2 diabetes and a shortened lifespan. He suggests that workers take breaks every 20 to 30 minutes to reduce stress.

In a news article published by SafetyCulture in April, the University of Sydney conducted a study on the risks of prolonged sitting in which it was shown that sitting for a long time may increase one’s chances of dying within three years, even with a physically active lifestyle.

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