I've posted before about the importance of MOVING.  You know, getting off the couch and actually moving your body.  I even did a whole post on NEAT (Non-exercise Activity Thermogenesis) which basically supports the importance of normal everyday activity and its health benefit.  Well, today a NEW study came out stating that prolonged sitting EVEN if you exercise regularly, may bring on certain cancers.  

Yesterday the study was that women who drink wine are at greater risk for breast cancer, now all the sitters out there are at greater risk.  If you don't believe  me, here is what the report says:


"Alpa Patel, an American Cancer Society epidemiologist who looked at the data, says the numbers "seem like very reasonable estimates."

Experts have known for years that physical activity decreases the risk of chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease and diabetes, Friedenreich says, but the new data give estimates on the number of cases that might be prevented if people were more physically active.

"A brisk daily walk of at least 30 minutes could lower a person's risk over time for breast cancer and colon cancer," says Alice Bender, a registered dietitian with AICR.

Friedenreich reviewed more than 200 cancer studies worldwide and found convincing evidence that regular physical activity reduces the risk of breast cancer, colon cancer and endometrial cancer by 25% to 30%. There's some evidence that regular exercise also reduces the risk of lung, prostate and ovarian cancer, she says.  That's all good news.  The kicker is this: 

Patel and others also have investigated the health dangers of sitting too long without moving around, which is called "sitting disease."

In a study of 123,000 people, she found that the more time people spent sitting, the higher their risk of dying early. "Even among individuals who were regularly active, the risk of dying prematurely was higher among those who spent more time sitting," she says.  (I added the bold highlight)

Even if you are doing half an hour of aerobic activity a day, you need to make sure you don't sit the rest of the day, Patel says. "You have to get up and take breaks from sitting."  I JUST told  my body sculpt class this very thing last Friday, but it wasn't to scare them of cancer!

Emerging research indicates that prolonged sitting also increases the risk of some types of cancer, such as colon, endometrial and ovarian cancers, Friedenreich says.

James Levine, a professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., says many people sit an average of seven to 9½ hours a day. "If you've sat for an hour, you've probably sat too long," he says.

Friedenreich is looking into why exercise reduces cancer risk. In a study of 320 post-menopausal women, she has found that physical activity appears to decrease the risk of cancer by increasing insulin sensitivity and reducing body fat, inflammation, metabolic hormones and sex steroids hormones.

There you have it.  ANOTHER GOOD reason to get off  your rump and get moving!  So, I guess I should be standing as I type this and definately not sipping on wine while I post all this info to you all!


Excerpt taken from
http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/medical/cancer/story/2011-11-03


 
 
Recently, in one of my classes I asked the participants if they had seen a local billboard sponsored by the Storng4Life Campaign.  My boys and I pass by the billboard everyday on the way home from school.  They were the first to notice it and they were APPALLED.  I polled the class participants, and while the message is definately strong and clear, I am not quite sure it can help fix the problem.  

I was surprised to find that one of the fitness blogs I often check out discussed the very same billboard.  Sarahfit.com had the following posted:

Have you heard about the new Strong4Life.com campaign against Childhood Obesity? I haven’t formed my own opinion yet since I just heard about it this morning but my initial reaction is:

-Those poor poor kids in the ads. Can you imagine the bullying they are going to endure at school?

-Is this really how you want to combat childhood obesity?

-Much of childhood obesity starts with the decisions of the parents, school, family income, this doesn’t seem like it’s helping solve any of these except making larger children feel bad about themselves. 

Taken from Sarahfit.com


If you live near me you pass by one of these right near the Steak and Shake - that might be a bit ironic, you think?  You may see them anywhere as this campaign is not just a Georgia campaign.  The billboards definatley make you look are definatley a slap.  I'm guessing that was the intent.  I'm just not sure that slap will help the problem.  Isn't it education?  I know I don't have the answers and this is a problem with many issues that needs answers - SOON. 

I also know that Strong4life is a great organization with a wonderful philosophy.  They have other great photos on their website showing kids being active, having fun and participating in healthy habits.  I am in NO way downplaying the organization or their purpose.  Obviously, there need to be more folks out there getting involved and tackling the health risks occurring and that will occur in the future if obesity continues to rise in our nation.  

  • What are your first thoughts when you see these photos?
  • Does this part of the Strong4life Campaing work for you?