Sedentary behavior is defined as waking activities that generate less than 1.5 METs—sitting and lying down, basically. However, sedentary behavior isn’t just the absence of movement; it is the presence of something more insidious. Now more prevalent than at any point in human history, sedentary behavior can feel nearly impossible to avoid. It's an individual health problem, a public health problem, and an economic problem. Experts recognize that even controlling for how much exercise a person gets, sedentary behavior per se is bad for physical and mental health. In other words, even if you hit the gym and walk the dog regularly, being sedentary is harmful. However, there are ways to reduce one's sedentary behavior. Find out more about these steps and what consequences they could help combat. Read More |