Sedentary Lifestyle: Health Implications
Sedentary Lifestyle: Health Implications
Sedentary Lifestyle: Health Implications
e-ISSN: 23201959.p- ISSN: 23201940 Volume 4, Issue 2 Ver. I (Mar.-Apr. 2015), PP 20-25
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Abstract: Sedentary lifestyle is an issue of great concern because of its deleterious health implications in
developed and developing countries. It is associated with limited physical activity, prolonged sitting at work, in
cars, communities, work sites, schools, homes and public places have been restricted in ways that minimize
human movement and muscular activities. People sit more and move less. This shift from a physically
demanding life to reduced physical activities have exposed people to high risk of developing various health
conditions such as obesity, hypertension, cardiac disorders, vitamin deficiencies, cancers to mention but a few.
They are associated with unhealthy lifestyles which are preventable. This paper therefore discussed the concept
of sedentary lifestyle, factors that enhance it and the various health implications associated with this unhealthy
behaviour. The paper concluded that individuals, groups and communities should make concerted efforts to
engage in physical activities, modify their dietary habits and avoid other risky behaviours that affect their health
negatively. Suggestions made by the paper include among others that work/public places should be structured in
a way that enhance active movement and recreational activities
Keywords: Sedentary Life Style, Cardiac Disorder, Physical Inactivity, Obesity, Hypertension, Cancer.
I.
Introduction
Man was created to be active and energetic hence sedentary life style is contrary to human nature. Our
grand parents were also active and engaged in vigorous muscular activities like fishing, farming, hunting,
tapping and migrating from place to place hence they lived stronger, healthier and longer. Health as a quality of
life is the result of diverse factors and behaviour/life style is one of the most powerful determinants of health [1]
According to Brannon and Feist most deaths in the 20 th and 21st century result from diseases that are associated
with individual life style/behaviour. [2] A relationship between Sedentary Lifestyles and ill health was revealed
as early as the 17th century by Bernadino Ramazzini, an occupational physician who discovered that sedentary
life style with its associated physical inactivity has an adverse effect on human metabolism, cardiac out put,
physical function and well being[3] . Technological advancement and increase in knowledge have provided man
with so many facilities that reduce physical and muscular activities such as cars, airplane, accelerators and a
corresponding increase in the amount of time spent sitting down at work place, school, home and public places.
Despite the well known benefits of physical activity, many adults and children lead sedentary life
styles. It has been revealed that most urban dwellers adopt sedentary life styles which have obvious negative
health implications [4]. The health belief model explained that people will be willing to adopt a positive
behavioural/ lifestyle change based on six constructs; Perceived Susceptibility, Perceived Severity, Perceived
benefits, Perceived barriers, Cues to action and Self efficacy [5].
This theory postulates that peoples perception and belief about their vulnerability or proneness to a
disease condition have great impact on their willingness to adopt a positive lifestyle. Another theory that
explains lifestyles is the social theory of life style which sees life styles as the life of a people, mode of
behaviour, habits, beliefs, rituals, it explains that what people do in different places and times affect them
positively or negatively [6]. According to a survey report conducted in 2008, by the United States national
Health Survey [7], 36% of adults are totally inactive while 59% have never participated in vigorous physical
activity lasting more than 10 minutes per week. This ugly trend has led to higher risk of various chronic diseases
such as obesity, deep vein thrombosis, heart diseases, Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, muscle and skin
disorders among others with their resultant increase in morbidity and mortality. [8,9]. It is sad to note that many
well meaning citizens of our country and beyond are victims of these chronic diseases which would have been
prevented if they had adopted more healthier life styles. The aim of this paper is therefore to investigate the
concept of Sedentary Behaviour (Lifestyles), examine the factors that enhance it, identify and discuss the health
implications of Sedentary Life Styles as well as make necessary suggestions to curb this trend.
Concept of Sedentary Life Style
The word Sedentary is coined from the Latin word Sedere which means to sit hence Sedentary
behaviour is a term used to characterize those behaviours that are associated with low energy expenditure. This
includes prolonged sitting at work, home, business centres, long screen time, car driving and leisure time [10]
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2.
3.
mg/dl
< 200
200 239
> 240
< 100
100 129
130 159
160 189
> 190
< 40
41 59
> 60
mmol/l
< 5.2
5.2 6.2
> 6.2
< 2.6
2.6 3.3
3.4 4.1
4.1 4.9
> 4.9
< 1.0
1.0 1.5
> 1.55
INTERPRETATION
Desirable level
Borderline
high level
Most desirable
Good
borderline
high undesirable
very high
Undesirable
optimal level
good
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II.
Conclusion
Sedentary lifestyle and behavioural factors have been implicated for various health risks indentified in
this seminar paper. Understanding the relationship between sedentary behaviour and health outcome and
modifying these behaviours are fundamental in reducing the morbidity and mortality rates caused by these
health complications. Since sedentary lifestyle predisposes individual (both old and young) to various noncommunicable but devastating diseases, it is feasible to induce people to shift some proportion of their sedentary
time into large volumes of light to moderate energy investing physical activities.
III.
Suggestions
Based on the emerging evidences revealed by this paper on the health risks associated with sedentary life style;
the following suggestions are made:
1. Work places, schools, business centres should be structured in a way that allow individuals to have
adequate time for movement and recreational activities.
2. The four key health behaviours are encouraged (involving in physical activity, avoiding smoking, reducing
alcohol intake and eating healthy).
3. Individuals are encouraged to reverse from present day sugary, fatty and animal based diet to our traditional
plant/vegetable based diet to reduce the health risks associated with high cholesterol diet.
4. Parents are encouraged to monitor and regulate the good intake of their children as well as time spent
watching TV, video and computer game to reduce obesity with its associated health risks.
5. Proper information should be disseminated on the dangers of sedentary lifestyle through all available media
of communication.
6. More studies should be carried out on this topic to properly confirm the exact tolerable sedentary time that
individuals can engage in without any adverse effect on their health especially the non-discretionary ones
like work, school and commuting in cars.
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