Study links sitting over 30 minutes to higher cancer death risk
7 reported
A study tracking more than 90,000 people over a decade found that sitting or lying down while awake for more than 30 minutes at a time is associated with an increased risk of dying from cancer. Researchers from the University of Glasgow analyzed data from wearable devices worn by UK Biobank participants, who were followed for an average of 12 years. The findings, published in Plos Medicine, indicate that each additional hour of prolonged inactivity per day was linked to a 10% increase in the risk of cancer death. However, the study also found that breaking up sedentary periods with light physical activity, such as slow walking or housework, could reduce that risk. Replacing one hour of sedentary behavior with light activity was associated with a 12% lower risk of cancer death, while replacing 30 minutes with moderate activity was linked to an 8% lower risk. The researchers noted that the study was observational and could not prove causation.
What’s reported
Sitting or lying down while awake for more than 30 minutes at a time each day was associated with an increased risk of cancer death.
Each additional hour of prolonged inactivity per day was associated with a 10% increase in risk of cancer death.
Replacing one hour of sedentary behavior with light physical activity was associated with a 12% lower risk of cancer death.
Replacing 30 minutes of inactivity with moderate physical activity was associated with an 8% lower risk.
Replacing five minutes of inactivity with five minutes of vigorous activity was associated with a 22% lower risk.
The study analyzed data from wearable devices worn by more than 91,000 UK Biobank participants followed for an average of 12 years.
The findings were published in Plos Medicine.
Key figures
Dr Frederick Ho, lead author of the study at the University of Glasgow
Prof Kevin McConway, emeritus professor of applied statistics at the Open University (not involved in the research)
Sources: The Guardian
