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Is too much sitting linked to medical conditions?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, American workers spent an average of three hours sitting per day. It could have serious health consequences.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If you're like most Americans, you probably sit at a desk for most of the day. And whether you're at the office or working from home, all that time sitting could cause health problems down the road. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, working spent an average of more than three hours sitting and more than four hours standing per day in 2023. One study found that sitting for too long can be bad for your health. 

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The study examined almost 500,000 people for 13 years and found people who predominantly sat at work showed a higher risk for mortality from all causes compared to those who did not sit most of the day.

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"If we don't stay on top of movement, physical activity, during the course of the day, on a very consistent basis, we lose the empowerment that we have to keep our blood pressure well controlled, lower our cholesterol, manage our blood sugar and prevent things like diabetes, and of course manage our weight," Singh said. 

Yale Medicine lists several complications from sitting at work for too long. They include: 

  • Lower back and spine issues
  • Obesity
  • Vascular problems
  • Heart disease 

So what can you do? Move. Singh said moving your body for 15 to 30 minutes each day can help. There are several other options, like having a standing desk, a desk treadmill or simply taking a walk at lunch.

"If you just schedule that little bit of time into your day, you're really going to be doing a lot for yourself and for your body and your cardiovascular health," Singh said. 

If a standing desk or walking on your break aren't realistic options, Yale Medicine suggests getting up every 30 minutes to stretch at your desk. You can also take a quick lap around your office building to get your blood pumping. 

Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on FacebookX and Instagram.

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