Prolonged Sitting May Increase Risk of Liver Disease

How many hours per day do you spend sitting? According to the website JustStand.org, the average U.S. adult sits for approximately 7.7 hours each day. Whether you are eating, working, commuting, watching TV, etc., you are probably sitting. While it may seem harmless enough, however, a new study suggests that sitting for prolonged lengths of time may increase your risk of developing fatty liver disease.

For the study, researchers examined the health records of some 140,000 men and women living in South Korean, about 40,000 of whom were suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Researchers found that people who sat for long periods of time, as well as people who did not receive adequate exercise, had a higher risk of developing NAFLD.

Researchers were quick to note that the two risk factors -- prolonged sitting and lack of exercise -- were independent of each other. What exactly does this mean? Well, it basically means that exercise will not make up for long periods of sitting, nor will standing make up for lack of exercise. Some people assume that it's okay to sit for eight or more hours per day as long as they exercise for half an hour afterwards. Assuming this study is correct, however, exercise will not prevent the health complications associated with prolonged sitting.

Of course, this isn't the first study to suggest that prolonged sitting has a negative impact on your health. Previous studies have found that people who sit for long periods of time have a higher risk of developing diabetes and heart disease, attesting to the need for greater physical activity.

“The message is clear, our chairs are slowly but surely killing us. Our body is designed to move and it is not surprising that sedentary behavior, characterized by low muscle activity, has a direct impact on physiology,” said lifestyle medicine professor Michael I. Trenell. “Lifestyle changes remain the cornerstone of clinical care.”

There are some steps you can take to reduce your time spent sitting. If you work in the office, consider investing in a standing desk. These desks will allow you to stand while using the computer, writing documents, or performing other office-related work. You can also increase your physical activity levels while reducing time spent sitting by walking to places. If you normally drive to pick up lunch, consider walking instead.