A sedentary lifestyle (which causes cancer) also increases the risk of developing diabetes.

Koreans are accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle, such as squatting or sitting cross-legged. However, caution is required as this habit not only causes cancer but also increases the risk of various diseases. We will examine in detail why a sedentary lifestyle is dangerous.

 

◇ Increases risk of cancer

 

The longer you sit, the greater the risk of developing cancer. According to the MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas, people who sit for the longest periods of time have a 52% higher risk of dying from cancer than those who sit for the shortest. There is also research from the Victoria Cancer Council showing that women who sit for long periods have twice the risk of developing breast cancer compared to those who do not.

 

This is because the longer you sit, the less physical activity you engage in. Reduced physical activity lowers metabolism, slowing down cellular and hormonal activity. If this continues, it can lead to inflammation in the body and increase the risk of cancer. If you cannot avoid a sedentary lifestyle due to work or other reasons, it is advisable to consciously get up from your seat and move your body from time to time whenever possible.

 

If you don't have time to get up, it is a good idea to use your lunch break or rest time to do some light stretching or take a walk.

◇ Causes diabetes and accelerates aging

 

A sedentary lifestyle also increases the risk of developing diabetes. 

 

According to research from Maastricht University in the Netherlands, the group that spent the most time sitting was found to have a risk of developing diabetes that was as much as eight times higher than the group that engaged in the most physical activity. In particular, a sedentary lifestyle involving sitting cross-legged is the worst.

When sitting cross-legged, blood flow to the legs is restricted, but if you suddenly straighten your legs, the restricted blood flows, generating reactive oxygen species.

Reactive oxygen species are oxygen that remains after mitochondria have produced enough energy for their own use. If they accumulate in large quantities, they attack cells, accelerate aging, and cause various diseases.

 

 

◇ It may be a cause of lower body obesity

 

Prolonged sedentary lifestyle can also cause fat to accumulate in the lower abdomen.

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The reason fat accumulates in the body is due to a lack of or insufficient movement. In particular, fat tends to pool in areas where blood vessels are not well developed due to low movement; the reason fat accumulates easily in the abdomen, waist, hips, and thighs is that these areas receive less exercise than other parts of the body.

 

In particular, women may accumulate fat in the lower abdomen more easily than men due to the activity of sex hormones such as estrogen in preparation for childbirth and breastfeeding. Therefore, even if you spend a lot of time sitting, consistent exercise strengthens the gluteus maximus, preventing fat from accumulating in the buttocks. A particularly helpful exercise is the 'bridging' movement.

 

Lie flat on your back with your knees bent, then lift your hips. You must engage your glutes, not your knees. For those with lower back pain, lifting your hips only about 5 cm is effective. Hold this position for 5 seconds, then lower your hips.

 

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Does it increase the risk of cancer?

It seems that simply sitting on the floor poses a risk.

 

Since it is said that diabetes and fat accumulate in the lower abdomen,

I think you really need to do some stretching occasionally.