In this technology prone era, every individual is glued to their devices, but excessive use of computers and smart devices can negatively affect your health. According to a new study, Americans are becoming more inactive as they spend a third of the waking hour sitting in front of the computer. So the researchers say, the computer is partly responsible for the increasing inactiveness among the Americans. The average sitting time of Americans is increased by one hour regularly. The sitting hour for adults is 6 ½ hours per day while it is eight hours for teens in the United States.
The sitting time calculated in the study involves working and school hours. The leisure time use of computers in all the age groups is increased too. About 15 percent of old aged people, after retirement, spend time in computers, according to the report of 2003-04. The percentage has increased to 50 percent in the year 2016. By the year 2016, over fifty percent of American adult and kids are spending at least an hour sitting in front of a computer daily. The Americans of all age group have spent two hours of their leisure time in videos and watching TV. The study says about 84 percent of adults and 60 percent of kids are spending almost two hours on TV and video. The number becomes unchanged throughout the years.
The lead author of the study Yin Cao is from the medical school of St. Louis at Washington University. According to Yin Cao, the result of the research concerns as prolonged sitting can cause several health problems. As per U.S. activity guidelines, the adults need at least 150 -300 minutes of heavy activity in a day. The activity may include jogging, walking, playing or biking. The activity of the makes your muscles active and makes you mentally healthy. A prolonged period of sitting can lead to diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and other chronic disorders.
The current research result was published in the Journal of American Medical Association on Tuesday. The study has observed 52,000 Americans from the year 2001-2016. Lack of physical activity in kids and adults is leading to many chronic diseases in America. Computers and other smart devices are partly responsible for the sedentary among individuals. Children aged between 6-17 need at least one hour of physical activity to lead a healthy lifestyle. The study says, one teen among five teens is having the required amount of physical activity. Likewise, one in every four adults in the US is having the recommended amount of physical activity.
Despite clear health warning by the US health department, the number of sitting hours is increasing among Americans. The increased number of sitting hours is reducing physical activity in daily life. Lack of physical activity daily leads to several health problems. So people of America are advised to involve some rigorous physical activity in their life to lead a healthy life. Prolonged sitting becomes a reason behind increased sedentary.