When you consider what it means to be sedentary, you’re more likely to imagine a couch potato than someone who does some of their journey to and from work by foot. However, even 30-40 minutes a day of moderate exercise a day doesn’t guarantee freedom from the health dangers associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

What is sedentary behaviour?

According to a Medibank Private report, sedentary behaviour is “activity for which energy expenditure is only marginally above resting levels and is typically characterised by sitting”.

We tend to associate sedentary behaviour with slothful people, however recent research suggests that even if someone exercises for 30-40 minutes a day, but sits for the rest of the time (for example on public transport, in the office, and then in front of the TV at home), that person has a "sedentary" lifestyle, with all the attendant risks.

Dr. David Dunstan is a researcher from the Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute. He says that there is a possibility that even individuals who exercise for an hour a day may spend the next 15 hours sitting down. He also says that this disproportionate amount of inactivity may negate the positive impacts of exercise.

What are the health risks associated with sedentary behaviour?

Periods of inactivity slow down the metabolism, which affects blood pressure, blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels. This can put individuals at risk of obesity and chronic disease.

Sedentary lifestyles have been linked to:

• Premature mortality;
• Heart disease;
• Diabetes;
• Higher blood levels of sugar and fats,
• Larger waistlines, and
• Higher risk of metabolic syndrome.

Sitting for prolonged periods may also contribute to or exacerbate musculoskeletal problems.

How can work help?

The first step is to raise sedentary work as an issue within the organisation. If might be appropriate to talk to management, or to discuss sedentary workplace behaviour at an OHS committee meeting.

Subsequent options might include:

• Consulting with the employer to ensure that adequate training, information and instruction is provided to workers, supervisors and health and safety representatives;
• Discussing with workers how the work and the work procedures might be varied to allow more movement; and
• Implementing health and wellbeing initiatives aimed at promoting physical activity.