Continuing the Debate Over Why Time Spent Sitting Correlates with Mortality
The correlation between time spent sitting and mortality has been a topic of debate in epidemiological studies. While some studies have shown a direct link between sitting time and mortality, others argue that the focus should be on immobility rather than just sitting. Research using accelerometer studies has indicated that low levels of activity, such as gentle walking or moving around the house, are more beneficial for long-term health. The debate on sitting continues, as evidenced by the conflicting data presented here.
Sedentary behavior is a recognized risk factor for mortality. A recent study utilizing a convolutional neural network hip accelerometer posture algorithm found significant associations between total sitting time and mean sitting bout duration with all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. The study followed older women over a period of 8.4 years and found that higher total sitting time and longer sitting bout durations were linked to increased risk of all-cause and CVD mortality. These findings support the need for interventions to reduce sitting time and break up prolonged periods of sitting.
Link: https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.123.031156
