Health Risks of an Inactive Lifestyle
Source: MedlinePlus Health Topics, U.S. National Library of Medicine
What is an inactive lifestyle? Being a couch potato. Not exercising. A sedentary or inactive lifestyle. These all mean the same thing: a lifestyle with a lot of sitting and lying down, with very little or no exercise. People are spending more time doing sedentary activities. During our leisure time, we are often sitting while using a computer or other device, watching TV, or playing video games. Many of our jobs have become more sedentary, with long days sitting at a desk or while commuting. And the way most of us get around involves sitting - in cars, on buses, and on trains. How does an inactive lifestyle affect your body? When you have an inactive lifestyle: You burn fewer calories. This makes you more likely to gain weight You may lose muscle strength and endurance, because you are not using your muscles as much Your bones may get weaker and lose some mineral content Your metabolism may be affected, and your body may have more trouble breaking down fats and sugars Your immune system may not work as well You may have poorer blood circulation Your body may have more inflammation You may develop a hormonal imbalance What are the health risks of an inactive lifestyle? Having an inactive lifestyle can increase your risk of developing chronic (long-term) diseases. This is sometimes referred to as "sitting disease". By not getting regular exercise, you raise your risk of: Obesity Heart diseases , including coronary artery disease and heart attack High blood pressure High cholesterol Stroke Metabolic syndrome Type 2 diabetes Certain cancers, including colon , breast , and uterine cancers Osteoporosis and falls Increased feelings of depression and anxiety Having a sedentary lifestyle can also raise your risk of premature death. And the more sedentary you are, the higher your health risks are. How can I get started with exercise? If you have been inactive, you may need to start slowly. Your health care provider can help you choose the best type or amount of activity for y