Do you often think about starting a regular exercise routine but haven’t quite managed to do it yet? It’s crucial to understand that living a sedentary lifestyle is more harmful than you might realize.
Many Americans express the desire to work out, but a large number of them don’t follow through. A recent survey by French tech firm ReportLinker found that 45% of American adults don’t exercise regularly. Belonging to this group has serious drawbacks, as demonstrated by the five dangers of physical inactivity discussed below.
Most of us believe that exercise mainly benefits our physical health. However, numerous studies indicate that regular exercise profoundly affects our mental well-being too. It can help alleviate depression by triggering the release of endorphins, our body’s feel-good hormones. Frequent exercise can also distract you from stress and anxiety. For instance, a significant study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry followed 22,000 Norwegian adults for about 11 years. Researchers discovered that those who didn’t exercise at the beginning of the study had up to a 44% higher chance of developing depression compared to those who worked out for at least 1-2 hours a week. The Canadian Mental Health Association also notes that regular exercise can boost self-esteem and reduce anxiety.
A sedentary lifestyle can be deadly. Studies compiled in the medical journal, The Lancet, revealed that lack of physical activity is responsible for 1 in 10 deaths worldwide. Experts have equated the risks of inactivity with those of obesity and smoking. One Harvard study concluded that insufficient physical activity increases the mortality rate from conditions like coronary heart disease, breast and colon cancer, and type 2 diabetes. In 2008, physical inactivity caused the deaths of over 5 million people, a number comparable to deaths caused by smoking during the same period.
Another risk of a sedentary lifestyle is an increased likelihood of developing a disability. A study published in the British Medical Journal indicated that inactive people are up to 72% more likely to become disabled by age 65. The researchers examined the correlation between unhealthy behaviors and disability risk from 1999 to 2011, interviewing nearly 4,000 individuals about their lifestyles. Unhealthy behaviors included low to moderate physical activity, smoking, and heavy drinking. The study found that 31% of participants later developed disabilities, with those admitting to low physical activity facing a 72% increased risk. Similarly, those who consumed fruits and vegetables less than once a day had a 24% increased risk, and current and former smokers had a 26% increased risk.
Living a sedentary lifestyle also raises your risk of obesity. Research has shown that the primary trigger for obesity is a lack of physical activity. One such study by Stanford University School of Medicine analyzed national health survey data over a 22-year period (1988 to 2010) and found that Americans are exercising less. The ideal exercise frequency was defined as more than 150 minutes a week. The percentage of women reporting no physical activity increased from 19% in 1988 to 52% in 2010, while the percentage of inactive men rose from 11% in 1988 to 43% in 2010. This inactivity corresponded with an increase in obesity rates, which climbed from 25% to 35% in women and from 20% to 35% in men.
As highlighted in this article, physical inactivity is connected to a wide range of health issues. One notable concern is high blood pressure, which can result from clogged and hardened arteries due to a lack of exercise. Hypertension also raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body can’t produce insulin, whereas Type 2 diabetes often develops due to an inactive lifestyle. Hypertension also increases the risk of diabetes.
Research continues to affirm that a sedentary lifestyle heightens the risk of various ailments. A study by British scientists in 2010 found that people who sit for extended periods have a higher disease risk compared to those who exercise. Similarly, Australian research linked each hour spent watching TV to an 18% increased risk of dying from cardiovascular problems. While these issues may seem daunting, becoming active can help you start combating them right away. Take some time for self-care and regular exercise to lead a healthier, better life!