Sitting is bad for you, even with exercise

Well, we kinda knew that. But a recently published study indicates that regularly sitting for long periods of time — say, in front of a computer writing or programming or reading kottke.org — increases your risk of heart disease even when you augment all that sitting with regular exercise. Yipes!

Men who spent more than 23 hours a week watching TV and sitting in their cars (as passengers or as drivers) had a 64 percent greater chance of dying from heart disease than those who sat for 11 hours a week or less. What was unexpected was that many of the men who sat long hours and developed heart problems also exercised. Quite a few of them said they did so regularly and led active lifestyles. The men worked out, then sat in cars and in front of televisions for hours, and their risk of heart disease soared, despite the exercise. Their workouts did not counteract the ill effects of sitting.

(via waxy)

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