Americans are sitting more than ever, study shows
If you're sitting down while reading this, maybe you'll want to take a break.
New research has shown that Americans spend more time sitting than we ever have before, The Wall Street Journal reports. And, as we've been warned before, computers are a main culprit behind our sedentary lifestyles.
A study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on Tuesday, found that compared to 2007, data from 2016 reflects an increase in sitting time of about an hour per day for most Americans. The average adolescent now spends 8.2 hours sitting, while the average adult sits for 6.4 hours a day.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The numbers from 2016 point to screen time as a big reason for sitting: 65 percent of people watched TV at least 2 hours per day, and computer use saw a huge uptick as well. 56 percent of children, 57 percent of adolescents, and 50 percent of adults use computers for at least an hour a day outside of school or work.
Excessive sedentary behavior has been linked to a higher risk for heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, or even early death — which makes this study's findings troubling. And while these numbers may seem high, the truth may be even worse. Since the study was based on self-reported surveys, some scientists believe that people are under-reporting their sedentary time. "Most people aren't very aware of how much time they spend sitting," said Keith Diaz, a professor at Columbia University Medical Center. Read more at The Wall Street Journal.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Shivani is the editorial assistant at TheWeek.com and has previously written for StreetEasy and Mic.com. A graduate of the physics and journalism departments at NYU, Shivani currently lives in Brooklyn and spends free time cooking, watching TV, and taking too many selfies.
-
Bormio: 'a great Alpine getaway'
The Week Recommends From snowy slopes and hot-spring spas, to high-end food and wine, this Italian town has something to offer everyone
By Asya Likhtman Published
-
Crossword: March 28, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku medium: March 28, 2024
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published