Sedentary_lifestyle

For anthropology, see sedentism.

Sedentary lifestyle is a medical neologism used to denote a type of lifestyle most commonly found in modern (particularly Western) cultures. It is characterized by sitting or remaining inactive for most of the day (for example, in an office), without any (or little) exercise. It is believed to be a factor in obesity, and, in doing so, may contribute to other diseases, such as type II diabetes, heart disease, depression and even hemorrhoids. Lack of exercise causes muscle atrophy, shrinking and weakening of muscles, which in turn increases susceptibility to injury. Physical fitness is correlated with immune system function, and a reduction in physical fitness is generally accompanied by a weakening of the immune system.

The term sedentary in biology applies to organisms and species that are not migratory but rather remain at a single location (permanently fixed or otherwise). In botany, plants are referred to as being sedentary because they are generally rooted to a medium (soil, rock, etc). Examples in zoology include such sessile organisms as barnacles, corals and mussels.

Despite the well-known benefits of physical activity, most adults and many children lead a relatively sedentary lifestyle and are not active enough to achieve these health benefits. A sedentary lifestyle is defined as engaging in no leisure-time physical activity (exercises, sports, physically active hobbies) in a two-week period. Data from the National Health Interview Survey shows that in 1997-98 nearly four in 10 (38.3 percent) adults reported no participation in leisure- time physical activity. This study does not include any measure of physical activity that is performed as a job related duty so does not encompass the full range of possible exercise that adults may be getting.

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