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HealthWatch: Sitting Vs. Smoking
DaltheJigsaw
Mountain View Veteran
(CBS 5) – Smoking cigarettes is the cause of so much preventable, deadly disease. But now new research shows sitting for long stretches of time may be just as dangerous.
“Smoking certainly is a major cardiovascular risk factor and sitting can be equivalent in many cases,” explained Dr. David Coven, cardiologist with St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York.
Dr. Coven said several new studies show prolonged sitting is now being linked to increased risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer, and even early death.
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/06/08/healthwatch-sitting-vs-smoking/
“Smoking certainly is a major cardiovascular risk factor and sitting can be equivalent in many cases,” explained Dr. David Coven, cardiologist with St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York.
Dr. Coven said several new studies show prolonged sitting is now being linked to increased risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer, and even early death.
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/06/08/healthwatch-sitting-vs-smoking/
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Comments
I like how the Government is providing these scientist with money for studies such as these. There was another study recently released about Reality Shows making us dumb or something. I can't find the link, but I did find this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/emily-bennington/does-reality-tv-make-us-s_b_496084.html. I will post other links if I can find the other one.
When it comes to meditation though, at the most the average person can sit for maybe 1.5 hour a day before they wanted to get up. It is not a lot. And this kind of sitting was found to contribute to physical and mental well-being rather health issues.
Also, usually at a practice center people practice walking meditation after sitting meditation. This actually gives them some physical exercise that contribute to their physical health. The siting meditation eliminates stress to promote mental well-being. Lower stress also reduces physical illness.
The article is a little vague, because it just says sitting. This sounds like any kind of sitting is bad. But a closer analysis shows that an inactive lifestyle where a person doesn't give himself/ herself enough cardiovascular exercise or exercise in general would contribute to heart problems and unhealthy weight.
I am sure if they do a research on people who meditate 4 hours or more a day ( sitting and walking meditation) at a monastery for example, they will arrive at the opposite result. This kind of sitting would lead to physical and mental well being, and possibly longevity.
The ones who meditate 4 hours or so a day at the practicing centers often follow the 8 precepts which includes eating a light breakfast and lunch. After that they can have a tea break in the evening but no solid food . An example of this can be seen in the forest monks lifestyle. That is how they don't get obesity. Their daily walking meditation gives them plenty of cardiovascular exercise ,not to mention mindful activities during monastery/ retreat chores. This keeps the heart disease at bay. Plus, people who meditate a lot would have very low level of stress , so I would say it promotes well-being. Plenty of health benefits are associated with this kind of sitting ( meditation) . That is why it is recommended by doctors. Sometimes meditators can even get lower rates for health insurance.
Sitting all day at the office doesn't make one obese. Coffee and lunch breaks can be spent walking, exercise can be done after work. What causes obesity is taking in more calories than you burn in a day, and taking in the wrong type of calories (trans-fats, lots of carbs).