More often than not, those leading a Sedentary Lifestyle Meaning spend most of their time engaging in behaviours that involve minimal movement. They’re often sitting or lying down while engaged in activities like reading, watching television, playing video games, or using a mobile phone or computer for much of the day.
Sedentary Lifestyle Meaning
A Sedentary Lifestyle Meaning represents a type of living characterised by low physical activity levels. In fact, individuals with this lifestyle typically spend their time engaged in behaviours that involve minimal movement, often seated or lying down. This includes activities like watching television, computer use, or any other forms of screen-based entertainment.
The World Health Organization describes a Sedentary Lifestyle Meaning as a situation where an individual is not meeting the minimum recommendations for physical activity. In their guidelines, they recommend adults spend at least 150 minutes a week engaging in moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or 75-minute vigorous-intensity activities. The lack of movement and exercise in a Sedentary Lifestyle Meaning that these recommendations are not being met.
Researchers quantify sedentary behaviour based on the expenditure of energy. For instance, activities that do not raise the energy expenditure above 1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs) are classified as sedentary behaviour. This indicates that even chores like cleaning or cooking, although don’t seem physically demanding, aren’t considered sedentary as they require more energy than this.
The demographics most prone to a sedentary lifestyle often include those working in office-oriented jobs, elderly individuals, or anyone with mobility issues. It’s important to note that being sedentary isn’t a natural part of ageing or having a desk job. Both young people and those who work seated can intersperse small bursts of activity into their day to avoid a sedentary lifestyle.
Common Behaviours in a Sedentary Lifestyle
Understanding what a sedentary lifestyle entails often requires recognizing the common practices associated with it. Predominantly, such behaviours involve activities that demand little to no physical exercise. These activities include sitting, lying down, watching television, or working on a computer for extended periods.
Mobility issues can also contribute to a sedentary lifestyle. Avoiding strenuous physical activity due to chronic pain or discomfort often leads to increased sedentary behaviour. People with significant mobility limitations may find themselves primarily confined to their homes, lacking the opportunities to engage in more active pursuits.
Excessive use of electronic devices is another hallmark of a sedentary lifestyle. Whether it’s hunching over a smartphone, binge-watching shows on a tablet or scrolling through social media feeds on a laptop, these behaviours all contribute to minimal physical movement, encouraging a sedentary way of life.
Furthermore, modern conveniences such as online shopping and food delivery services are enabling factors of a sedentary lifestyle. Gone are the days when people needed to walk to the store for groceries or prepare home-cooked meals. The ease and comfort these services offer often have the unintended consequence of fostering a physically inactive way of life.
Health Implications of a Sedentary Lifestyle
Modern lifestyle patterns commonly involve extensive periods of sitting and inactivity, leading to a marked increase in sedentary behaviour not just among office workers but also in home environments. This prevalence of low energy-expenditure activity can have consequential impacts on general wellness and health outcomes. Here’s how.
Weight Gain and Obesity
One of the most immediate and observable impacts of a sedentary lifestyle is weight gain. It’s a well-known fact that physical inactivity lowers the body’s energy expenditure, contributing to increased fat accumulation and potential obesity.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Sedentary behaviour poses a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Studies have proven people who spend large amounts of time sitting are at a higher risk for heart attacks, strokes, and other heart-related illnesses.
Diabetes and High Blood Pressure
Another cruel blow from physical inertia is an escalated risk of diabetes. Prolonged sitting affects glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. The result? High blood sugar levels and eventually, diabetes. It’s also been linked to high blood pressure, as lack of physical activity contributes to poor circulatory health.
