Sitting Your Life Away

EXCESSIVE SITTING AGES A PERSON, EXTENSION SPECIALIST SAYS

Missouri Extension Service

LAMAR -- A study in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests too much sitting and too little exercise may actually speed up biological aging by as much as eight years.

In the study, a group of almost 1,500 women (average age, 79) wore motion sensors for one week. At the end of the week, the individuals that spent both more time sitting, and less than 30 minutes a day in some form of physical activity, had a higher association with the biological marker of shortened telomeres.

Telomeres are caps that protect the ends of DNA strands. They shorten with age but other factors, like exercise, can affect the rate.

"We've known that inactivity is bad for health, but this new finding is eye-opening. It should make us all take a step back and re-evaluate how we spend our working and leisure time," commented Lindsey Stevenson, nutrition and health education specialist for University of Missouri Extension.

Shortened telomere length is also associated with heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and major cancers.

"It's an easy fix. We just need to spend less time in sedentary activities like watching TV or sitting at a desk, and spend more time each day doing intentional physical activity," said Stevenson.

To decrease sedentary time at work, try standing while talking on the phone, or get up at least once every hour to take a short walk or do simple exercises at your desk.

To decrease sedentary time at home, spend more time outside, start a garden, find a friend or neighbor to walk and talk with, or volunteer to walk dogs at your local animal shelter.

Another tip is to make physical activity enjoyable. Find something you like to do. It could be swimming, tennis, biking, or even walking while you golf instead of driving the cart. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week.

For more information on nutrition, contact any of these nutrition specialists in southwest Missouri: Dr. Pam Duitsman in Greene County at (417) 881-8909; Lindsey Gordon Stevenson in Barton County at (417) 682-3579; Stephanie Johnson in Howell County at (417) 256-2391; or Mary Sebade in Dallas County at (417) 345-7551. The regional office of the Family Nutrition Education Program is located in Springfield and can be reached at (417) 886-2059. Nutrition information is also available online http://extension.missouri.edu.

General News on 04/20/2017