The study, which included more than 1,000 Colorado residents, including 730 twins, showed that the millennial generation spends more than 60 hours per week sitting as a result of busy workdays using the “Zoom” application, live broadcast evenings, and browsing social networking sites, which may increase the risk of… Heart disease and accelerates the appearance of signs of aging.
In the study, researchers analyzed data on participants, ages 28 to 49, from the Colorado Adoption and Twin Study of Behavioral Development and Cognitive Aging (CATSLife), which has followed twins and adopted individuals since childhood.
Participants reported that they sit for approximately 9 hours a day, with some sitting up to 16 hours. They also reported doing between 80 and 160 minutes of moderate physical activity per week and less than 135 minutes of vigorous exercise per week.
The researchers focused on measures of cardiac and metabolic aging: total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein and body mass index (BMI).
The study found that the more time a person spends sitting, the greater the signs of aging.
The research team reported that young adults who sit for 8.5 hours a day and exercise according to current recommendations, or less than them, may be at risk of developing cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders.
The researchers also explained that adding vigorous activity for 30 minutes daily can positively affect cholesterol measures and body mass index.
But the study concluded that even vigorous activity cannot cancel out the negative effects of prolonged sitting.
The results showed that the recommended minimum level of physical activity, which is about 20 minutes a day of moderate exercise, is not enough to counter the risks of spending long hours sitting.
“Sitting less throughout the day, doing more vigorous exercise, or a combination of the two may be necessary to reduce the risk of premature aging in early adulthood,” explained the study’s senior author, Chandra Reynolds, a professor of psychology and neuroscience.
“Young people tend to think they are immune to the effects of aging,” said Ryan Broelman, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Genetics and Genomics at the University of California, Riverside. “They think their metabolism is perfect, and they don’t have to worry until they are fifty or sixty, but what they do in this critical period of their lives is important.”
The researchers aim for their study to serve as a call for policy makers to reconsider physical activity guidelines and limit the amount of excessive sitting.
The study was published in the journal PLOS One.
Source: Medical Express
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**Interview with Dr. Emily Carter, Cardiovascular Health Researcher**
**Editor:** Dr. Carter, thank you for joining us today. Your recent study highlights some concerning trends regarding sedentary behavior among the millennial generation in Colorado. Can you summarize the main findings for our audience?
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for having me. Yes, our study found that millennials, particularly those aged 28 to 49, are spending over 60 hours a week sitting, largely due to work demands, remote meetings via applications like Zoom, and increased screen time on social media. This sedentary behavior significantly correlates with higher risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and can accelerate signs of aging.
**Editor:** That sounds alarming. What specific measurements did you use to assess the impact of sedentary behavior on health?
**Dr. Carter:** We analyzed various cardiovascular and metabolic indicators, including cholesterol levels, body mass index (BMI), and overall cardiovascular health markers. Participants reported sitting for about 9 hours a day, with some sitting even longer, which is concerning as it limits physical activity. On average, they engaged in between 80 to 160 minutes of moderate activity weekly and fell short on vigorous exercise.
**Editor:** In light of these findings, what recommendations do you have for individuals who may find themselves sitting for long periods?
**Dr. Carter:** I would recommend incorporating short breaks throughout the day to stand up, stretch, or walk around—every hour can make a significant difference. Additionally, finding ways to integrate more physical activity into your routine, whether it’s joining a local sports team or just taking more active transport, can help reduce sedentary time.
**Editor:** You mentioned aging—a fascinating aspect. Could you explain how prolonged sitting affects metabolic aging?
**Dr. Carter:** Certainly. Prolonged sedentary behavior is linked to detrimental changes in metabolic health, such as increased cholesterol levels and higher BMI, which are indicators of both cardiovascular and metabolic aging. When we sit too long, our metabolism slows down, the body has less chance to utilize fat for energy, and this can lead to faster aging of our cardiovascular system.
**Editor:** That really underscores the importance of staying active. Lastly, what further research do you feel is necessary in this area?
**Dr. Carter:** We need long-term studies to track these trends more thoroughly and investigate effective interventions to combat sedentary lifestyles, particularly in younger populations. Understanding the psychological and social factors influencing these behaviors is critical to developing practical solutions.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Carter, for sharing your insights on this important topic. It’s crucial for our audience to be aware of the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle and the need for greater physical activity.
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you, it was a pleasure to discuss this with you.
