Mount Sinai Hospital and CDC warn of risks from ‘sitting disease’

Health institutions, including Mount Sinai Hospital and the CDC, are warning about ‘sitting disease,’ a term used to describe the cumulative health damage caused by prolonged, uninterrupted sedentary behavior.

Research suggests that sitting for eight or more hours without meaningful breaks can negatively affect metabolic health, even for individuals who exercise regularly. Chronic sitting has been linked to increased risks of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and certain types of cancer.

To mitigate these risks, researchers recommend ‘movement snacks,’ which are short breaks of movement intended to clear glucose from the bloodstream, maintain metabolic activity, and reduce lower back strain.