University of Glasgow study links prolonged sitting to cancer risk

A study published in ‘PLOS Medicine’ involving over 91,000 participants from the UK Biobank has linked prolonged periods of continuous sitting to increased health risks. Researchers from the University of Glasgow found that sitting for 30 minutes or more without interruption is specifically associated with a higher risk of death from cancer.

The data indicates that every additional hour of prolonged sitting per day is linked to a 9% increase in the risk of death from any type of cancer and a 3% increase in general cancer incidence. Furthermore, each additional hour of inactivity is associated with a 5% increase in the risk of obesity-related cancers.

To mitigate these risks, experts suggest that even light physical activity can be beneficial. Replacing sedentary time with just five minutes of intense activity or one hour of light activity, such as slow walking, can significantly reduce mortality risks. Breaking up sitting sessions with short walks or dynamic stretching after meals can help reset the metabolism and manage blood glucose levels.