Fidgeting is good for your health
A study suggests that fidgeting or making small movements can reverse the bad effects of sitting down for a long time.
Previous studies prove that sitting for prolonged periods increases risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer and death.
People who consider themselves occasional fidgeters had a high risk of death from prolonged sitting. On the other hand, when compared to active women, moderate or heavy fidgeters were not at a higher risk of death.
Professor Janet Cade from the School of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Leeds and Dr. Gareth Hagger-Johnson from University College London lead the study.
“Sitting Time, Fidgeting, and All-Cause Mortality in the UK Women’s Cohort Study” was published last September 22 on the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
The study examined data from the University of Leeds’ UK Women’s Cohort Study, which is one of the largest cohort studies of diet and health of women in the UK.
The University of Leeds’ UK Women’s Cohort Study gathered information on a wide range of eating patterns of more than 35,000 women aged 35 to 69 who are living in the UK.
The new study analyses data from a follow-up survey sent to the same women, which included questions on health behaviours, chronic disease, physical activity levels and fidgeting. More than 14,000 responses were received.
Study co-lead author Dr Gareth Hagger-Johnson from UCL, who conducted the data analysis, said: “Our results support the suggestion that it’s best to avoid sitting still for long periods of time, and even fidgeting may offer enough of a break to make a difference.”
Category: Features, Wellness and Complementary Therapies
