Move out of harm's way

We haven't heard the last of the study on the possible association between long bouts of watching TV and a shorter lifespan.

Every hour spent watching TV was associated with an 18 per cent greater risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, an 11 per cent greater risk of all causes of death and a 9 per cent increased risk of death from cancer.

The link existed not just among the overweight but also among those who were healthy and fit. Experts suggest abolishing "sedentary behaviour" as a synonym for not exercising. Instead, sedentary time should be defined as "muscular inactivity" to distinguish it from not doing any exercise at all.

Four fundamentals

Their recommendation is based on four principles: just sitting and not moving throughout the day may increase the risk of disease; sedentary behaviour is a separate kind of behaviour, with its own effects on the risk of disease and is different from leisure-time exercise; the molecular and physiological changes that occur from sitting too much are different from the body's response to a period of physical activity; and those who are too inactive will increase their health risks even more by sitting for long periods of time.

Experts advise people to remain active throughout the day. They say: "Climbing stairs rather than using elevators and escalators, five minutes of break during sedentary work or walking to the store rather than taking the car will be as important as exercise."