Experts are warning prolonged sitting could be as bad for you as smoking, and say fitness and a healthy diet are no replacement for regular breaks.
The average Australian spends up to 14 hours a day sitting, on the couch, in the car and at work.
"[Smoking] is one of the leading causes of death in the world, sitting is very similar," Dr Andrew Timbs from the Chiropractors' Association said.
"The rate of obesity is about the third leading killer in the world."
When we sit the rate at which the body's enzymes break down fat, drops by 90 per cent.
"You don't actually fire your muscles like you should do and that has adverse effects for metabolism and regulation of weight [it] partially increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease," Dr Timbs said.
Sixty-three per cent of Australians are either overweight or obese and that figure is still rising.
Experts say technology is one of the biggest contributing factors.
There are gadgets to keep your feet moving at work, but Dr Timbs says regular breaks are the way to go.
He recommends going for a walk for a meeting rather than sitting at a desk, or promoting fitness at lunch time.
Source[7News]
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