Middle-aged men more sedentary than OAPs

Health: Study highlights dangers of time spent sitting down

Middle-aged male office workers spend more time sitting down than pensioners, with large parts of the population “dangerously sedentary”, according to new research.

The Edinburgh University study found 45 to 54year-old men spend on average 7.8 hours per weekday seated, compared to 7.4 hours for men over 75.

Sedentary work is the main reason for the inactivity, with sedentary time (ST) defined as time spent in any waking activity done while sitting or reclined.

Women in all age groups spend less time sitting than the over-75s, who spend an average 7.4 hours seated each day.

Experts are calling for action to tackle high levels of ST, which has been linked to health risks including cardiovascular disease and type two diabetes.

Among men, only the youngest group surveyed – 16 to 24-year-olds – are significantly less sedentary than the over-75s on weekdays, spending 6.6 hours a day sitting down.

At the weekend, the weekday situation reverses for both men and women.

Those aged 25 to 54 were the least sedentary, sitting for between 5.2 and 5.7 hours a day, while the over 75s were the most sedentary, at 7.3 to 7.4 hours.

For the youngest group, most of the time sitting down is in front of a screen. Men spend less time in front of a screen as they get older, with women peaking in middle-age.

Experts say high levels of ST – more than seven hours a day – increases the risk of an early death, cardiovascular disease, type two diabetes and some cancers, even if people are physically active at other times.

Lead researcher Tessa Strain said: “Large parts of the population are dangerously sedentary.

“We need to tackle high levels of sedentary time in early and middle age, when patterns may develop.

“Our findings suggest that changing habits in the workplace could be an appropriate place to start.”

DESK-BOUND: Male office workers aged 45-54 spend almost eight hours on weekdays sitting down