Having a desk job has its pros and cons. For example, you don’t have to do a lot of heavy lifting to earn your monthly wages. But, research shows, it may also increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. How so? According to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, women who remain sedentary while at work develop poor insulin-resistance and show signs of chronic low-grade inflammation.
Researchers studied more than 500 men and women aged 40 and above, concentrating on how often they stayed sedentary in the office over a week. This was backed up by blood tests that measured for chemicals linked to diabetes and metabolic dysfunction. Results revealed that women who spent the most time sitting down at the office had the highest insulin levels and C-Reactive protein.
Men, however, don’t seem to have the same problems as women. While there is no clear reason for the discrepancy, researchers believe that it has something to do with how often women tend to eat while sitting down and how men seem to be more physical active when they’re not sedentary.
While having a desk job means spending most of your time sitting down, it doesn’t mean you can’t break the sedentary lifestyle in small ways. Give yourself short five-minute breaks from sitting down once in a while. While on break, leave the confines of your office and take a short walk outside. Take time to get some exercise in before or after work, even if it's just a few times a week. Who knows? Your colleagues may soon follow in your footsteps!
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