Tag Archives: sitting disease

Stand-biased? Indirectly we hope so…

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Michelle Judd, Sr. Marketing Manager, Global Communications @ Ergotron

February’s Men’sHealth Magazine offers some sage advice from self-professed “notorious sloucher stuck in a sedentary routine and working long hours,” Clint Carter. In his Switch to a Stand-up Desk write-up, Clint, a health editor for the magazine, decided to test drive a WorkFit-S Sit-Stand workstation last fall.

His goal was altruistic: “Slump less and boost productivity.”

He offers some quick Rx to reach his goal but I was curious about his comment to “use stand-biased instead of a sit-stand desk; you’ll spend more time on your feet this way.” He goes on to suggest Ergotron’s WorkFit is stand-biased.

Searching “stand-biased” brings up some interesting articles about use of stand-biased desks in classrooms and of course, Clint’s article. Clint’s point was that a stand-biased desk is higher than normal desks.

Stand-biased is a good thing after all. It’s why we launched the Just Stand Wellness Uprising on Juststand.org.

But equally important as standing more, is adjustability. Does the workstation give you the option to easily and effortlessly sit or stand as your body demands throughout the day? That’s the real motivating factor.

The beauty of the WorkFit line of products (yes, I am evangelizing) is that they attach to any height desk, and still offer 20″ of height-adjustment on top of that. Fit for a really nice chunck of the short to tall global population.

We are stand-biased. Yes. But our units offer both. Not a ground-breaking distinction but an important one.

I was happy to see Clint, in my last communication, is “still standing.” His write-up gives some great tips for easing into a standing routine. Further proof that work can be part of your fitness goals? I think so.

There’s a reason they call it sitting disease

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The office worker has been facing a deadly foe each week as they settle down before their computer—little do they know it. This foe? Sitting Disease.  A new study just released from the American Cancer Society reveals an even deadlier link, the strong connection between sitting around and cancer.

According to CBS News report “Study links sitting around to cancer,” the analytical study, presented today at the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) annual conference in Washington, D.C., cites ”92,000 cases a year of breast and colon cancer that can be blamed on physical inactivity.”

The AICR presented data from a new paper on physical inactivity and breast cancer presentation. The paper, took the findings of 200 studies worldwide and found specific links to 43,ooo new colon cancer cases and 49,000 breast cancer cases.

This press release from the AICR, Getting Up From Your Desk Can Put the “Brakes” on Cancer, explains it more detail.

“Taken together, this research suggests that every day, we’re each given numerous opportunities to be active and protect ourselves from cancer, not one,” said AICR spokesperson Alice Bender, MS RD.  They suggest  a simple model of “make time and break time” as shown in this Infographic (PDF) by the AICR:

“This new research on break time suggests there are small things we can do in the other 15 hours and 30 minutes we spend awake that also make a big difference.” said Bender.

Here’s what a few people are already saying about the news:

@RachaelRettner: More reason to feel guilty about sitting down all day: Prolonged Sitting Linked to Breast and Colon Cancers myhealthnewsdaily.com/prolonged-sitt… #AICR11

@JNCI_Now: @aicrtweets getting up from your desk periodically through out the day can significantly reduce your cancer risk #AICR11

 @aicrtweets: press conference on diet, inactivity and cancer starting – almost 100,000 cancers related to inactivity. #AICR11

And here is some of the other coverage:

Experts: Sitting All Day Is ‘Killing Us’ ow.ly/7i6CK via @CBSChicago #juststand

Prolonged Sitting Linked to Breast and Colon Cancers ow.ly/7i6eW via @MyHealth_MHND #juststand

Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/11/03/prolonged-sitting-may-increase-risk-certain-cancers/#comment

USA Today: http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/medical/cancer/story/2011-11-03/Prolonged-sitting-linked-to-breast-cancer-colon-cancer/51051928/1

We have been tracking research on sitting disease  and the health risks of sitting too much for a couple of years. Take a look at the mounting evidence and make the decision for yourself. Isn’t it time to take your health to a new level?

Small things like taking breaks, moving around are good. Over the typical day, you begin to see opportunities to add in more movement, both at work and at home.

Integrate sit-to-stand philosophy in the areas of your life where you spend the largest time sitting, like working at a computer or in front of a TV. Taking an interactive approach to your life not only increases your energy, focus, productivity and general sense of well-being…there are also the obvious benefits of taking preventative measure against serious health risks.

We’ll be tracking the coverage over the weeks and months ahead on Juststand.org and throughout our social media platforms. Take time to start talking about this with your families, coworkers, neighbors and bosses.

The AICR urges us to make time for physical activity and break every hour of sitting with 1 to 2 minutes of activity. This isn’t anything new, we know. The breaks can be simple (e.g. standing to take a call, filing something, walking to talk to a co-worker, etc.). Or, even better, you could adopt a sit-stand workstation.

The real challenge is whether you will do it. Will you?

Inbox wellness? It’s a good fit

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Michelle Judd, Sr. Marketing Manager @ Ergotron

Today I received a Fit Tip Tuesday email with 10 Outstanding Fit Tips from Jill Knapp and her Get Up & Get Moving blog. Jill has a wonderful health testimony fighting Type II diabetes. Did you see her on Dr. Oz? She is sharing her success and motivation with others, encouraging people to eat right and exercise for healthier and fuller lives. It is inspirational.

I signed up originally since there is Type II diabetes in the family and I am trying to stay proactive about my health.

In her list she covers the basics: Being physically active, eating protein,  being choosy when eating a nighttime snack. However, what I secretly hoped to see listed wasn’t there. Can you guess what that is?

Stand up at work.

The simplest non-exercise activity intervention you can do for yourself is to stand up. Barring medical conditions that prohibit you from doing so (e.g., pregnant women, people with varicose veins), getting out of your chair is like a wake-up call for your body.

The benefits range from simple muscle strength to mitigating formation of blood clots deep in the legs or even reducing risk of cardiovascular disease and yeah, diabetes. But don’t just take it from me, the research tells more of the full story.

I know, I know, patience grasshopper. Jill could be sharing that tip next week. I’ll be watching with interest.

Do you have Type II diabetes or know someone who does? Jill and her Get Up & Get Moving blog might offer some hope.