Sedentary behavior has been emerging as an independent risk
factor for chronic disease and mortality. Time spent sedentary displaces potential physical activity, causing
decreased energy expenditure and resulting in weight gain and obesity. Researchers
looked at the relationship between time spent sedentary and cancer risk in a
new study.
Researchers conducted a comprehensive, systematic literature
review and meta-analysis of prospective published studies on TV viewing time,
recreational sitting time and occupational sitting time in relation to
site-specific cancers. The meta-analysis ultimately included 43 observational
studies where 68,936 cancer cases were analyzed, including colon,
endometrial, lung, breast, rectum, ovarian, prostate, stomach, esophagus,
testicular, renal cell and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Each two-hour per day increase in sedentary time was related
to a statistically significant eight percent increase in colon cancer risk and a
ten percent increase in endometrial cancer risk. There was also positive
correlation between sedentary behavior and lung cancer, though this was
considered a borderline statistically significant increase of risk. By comparison, associations of sedentary
behavior with cancer risk were null for cancers of the breast, ovaries,
prostate, stomach, esophagus, testes, renal cell and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Interestingly,
colon, endometrial, breast and renal cell cancers are all positively associated
with obesity; however, from this meta-analysis obesity is considered a risk
factor for only colon and endometrial cancers. This suggests that sedentary
behavior and obesity have an effect on risk factors of certain cancers whereas obesity is an independent risk factor of other cancers.
Bottom Line: Try to
get the recommended amount of physical activity as often as possible—for the
sake of your health. Strive for 150 minutes of moderate aerobic physical
activity (30 minutes, 5 days a week) or 75 minutes of intense aerobic physical
activity (25 minutes, 3 days a week). It is best to also include 2 to 3 days of
muscular strength training each week to maintain fitness and muscle mass.
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