Prolonged Sitting and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality

Prolonged sitting behaviors are a distinct subset of sedentary behaviors. They include television viewing, computer and video use, sitting in automobiles, and workplace sitting. I reviewed scientific literature from 2005 to 2010 to assess the effects of prolonged sitting on cardiovascular disease mortality and risk factors. I conclude that prolonged sitting is positively associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors and increases in mortality risk, independent of physical activity. The weakness of the current literature is an over-reliance on self-reports of prolonged sitting. Also, a better understanding is needed of the unique biomarkers and metabolic alterations related to prolonged sitting, as well as whether sitting displaces light-intensity physical activity. Overall, the findings support previous recommendations to consider guidelines and strategies to reduce and interrupt prolonged sitting. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.