Infographic Explains Why Sitting Too Much Can Kill You

by Jonathan Fallon on May 10, 2011

As we reported back in July, sitting down for extended periods of time is deadly. Thanks to this infographic, we now know how deadly. For example: sitting 6+ hours a day makes you 40% more likely to die within 15 years than those who sit less than 3. In addition, people with sitting jobs have twice the rate of cardiovascular disease as those with standing jobs. Get more depressing stats after the break.

(MBAC via Buzzfeed)

Tagged as: health, infographic, sitting

Terry Atkins

I like the 2nd one that says… Sitting increases Risk of Death by FORTY PERCENT! Like… really? You mean that I’m 40% more likely to die if I sit than if I don’t? REALLY?? Gee, I didn’t know that by standing I would live forever….wow!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000529762426 Cailley McClellan

If you were actually reading the article it said within 15 YEARS. Not forever.

http://www.facebook.com/terry.d.waters Terry D. Waters

If sitting is that bad for you imagine how bad lying down must be. Come to think of it nearly everyone that dies does so,,, while lying down!

Before you all go get rid of your beds and chairs consider that recent studies also show that people that stand over 8 hours a day wish they were dead.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_J7D7FOMW5FN6ESNAH7UJEOGHQI Harry Baung

Some think it’s the act of maintaining a static position for long periods of time that’s the cause of harm (lack of adequate blood circulation and therefore lack of adequate oxygenation?). So the solution, supposedly, is to change positions as often as possible — so stand, sit on chairs, sit on the floor Indian style, lay down, walk around, squat on the floor, etc. the more movement the better. There is no “ideal” one static position — they all get uncomfortable eventually. Same thing with eyestrain — focusing your eyes at a fixed distance for long periods tires them out. I suffer from fibromyalgia and sciatica (esp. left side) so sitting in throne-type chairs aggravates my back and neck pain greatly. I do believe that sitting in throne-type chairs are especially destructive to the body. I do still sit in chairs oftentimes but not for too long, otherwise my sciatica gets worse. I have to admit, I would really like a computer station where I can lay down flat on my back while doing my computing. That would save a lot of back/neck tension, I think.