Sitting more than 9 hours a day is dangerous

Anyone who sits at a desk for more than nine hours a day has a higher risk of premature death, according to a new study — making small efforts regularly can reduce that risk.

The research published in the trade journal British Medical Journal analyzes the data of around 36,000 adults with an average age of 62 years. They monitored their activity levels throughout the research through wearables, whereby their physical activity was subdivided into different levels.

Those who sit still for 9.5 hours a day have an increased risk of early death, the study shows. For middle-aged and older people who suffer such a still life, such a premature death would be two and a half times more likely.

Even if sitting is interrupted by standing or walking around, the typical desk movements, that risk is retained.

Small activities, such as cooking or doing the dishes, would already reduce the risk, regardless of the level of effort.

People who regularly recorded physical activity were five times less likely to die prematurely than people who were not active.