The  health problems of office workers who ‘sit too much’ is getting increasing attention not only in medical journals but now also in popular media.

See:

Owen N, Baumen, AE, and Brown, W. 2009. Too much sitting: a novel and important predictor of chronic disease risk? BJSM;43:81-83.

Brown, WJ, Bauman, AE, and Owen N. Stand up, sit down, keep moving: turning circles in physical activity research? BJSM 2009; 43:86-88.

Carr, LJ, Walaska KA, and Marcus BH. 2011. Feasibility of a portable pedal exercise machine for reducing sedentary time in the workplace. BJSM, published online Feb 14, 2011.

Khazan, O. Love My Computer Lifestyle. Hate How It’s Killing Me. Forbeswoman, June 29, 2011.

One recent news article –   NJ court: Desk job, not bad health, led to death – raised the question:  is this a prelude for other hazards of physical inactivity related disorders or just a blip? Cardiac events, diabetes etc…

The trial lawyers have been saying when “smoking bullet” (cause-effect type mechanisms) is combined with lack of choice, its only a matter of time. We’ll see.

While it is clearly over-simplistic to say that ALL sitting is ‘bad,’ there is growing momentum for simple, effective strategies to counteract the health burden of sedentary office culture.

Marckowitz, E. Sitting Is Bad for You: What Can You Do About It at Work? Inc, May 4, 2001.

Don’t forget the short BJSM podcast, Sedentary behaviour and mortality, with Genevieve Healy, one of the pioneers in this field.