Sedentary behavior-low-energy sitting or reclining for 30 minutes or more-is linked to a higher risk of cancer mortality, according to a new study.
For every additional hour of prolonged sitting, the risk of cancer death increased by 10 percent, researchers found. However, replacing that hour with light physical activity reduced the risk by 12 percent.
Cutting sitting time by 30 minutes with moderate exercise lowered risk by 8 percent, while just five minutes of vigorous activity sliced the risk by 22 percent.
“Our findings suggest that the health effects of sedentary behaviour may depend not only on total sedentary time, but also on whether that time is accumulated in prolonged bouts or interrupted by activity,” the authors said.
Sedentary behavior accounts for roughly 55 percent of waking hours in both children and adults. The World Health Organization warns global targets to reduce physical inactivity by 15 percent by 2030 are off-track, with inactivity projected to rise to 35 percent if trends continue.
Women and people over 60 show the highest inactivity rates, underscoring the need for accessible movement in daily life.