7 Negative Effects of a Sedentary Lifestyle You Should Be Aware Of

Many people all over the world maintain a sedentary lifestyle. The point is that doesn’t mean that you work in the sitting position at work or school. It means that you are not physically active and prefer to sit at work, at home, etc. Unfortunately, an inactive lifestyle can have a lot of negative complications. In this article, we have gathered seven negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle you should be aware of.

1. Back pain

If you tend to sit all day, it is not surprising that your back may hurt. It is important to understand that a lack of physical activity interferes with normal blood circulation in your back. As a result, you may experience a limited range of motion and back pain. That’s why it is better to have little walks or exercise throughout the working day. But if your pain is severe and interferes with your normal activities, it is better to contact a leading pain management doctor since you may have some underlying condition. 

2. Obesity

It is essential to understand that the more time you spend sitting, the fewer calories you burn. This means that people who maintain a sedentary lifestyle usually have higher chances of gaining weight. Sitting for long periods of time can also lead to severe weight gain in the form of obesity. So the more sedentary you are, the more likely you are to become obese. You should also know that the more you put on weight, the harder your heart has to work. 

3. Impaired blood circulation

As mentioned above, sitting in one position can significantly affect your blood circulation. This can result in back problems, muscle cramps, tingling, and other negative effects. That’s why it is essential to change your position every 15 minutes and exercise at least a few times a day to restore normal blood circulation. 

4. Poor posture

Even though not every person that maintains a sedentary lifestyle has poor posture, it is a quite common issue for many people. The point is that it can be difficult to sit many hours a day with a straight back and neck. Additionally, your back muscles become weaker and can’t hold the spine properly without physical activity. You should understand that poor posture can cause back pain, digestive issues, and other complications. 

5. High cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in all the cells in your body. It is used by your body to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help digest food. If you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can combine with other substances in your blood to form plaque that sticks to the walls of the arteries. This can lead to coronary artery disease in which the coronary arteries become narrow or even blocked. A lack of physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle can significantly increase cholesterol levels in your body. 

6. Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become weak and thin. This can result in frequent fractures. The main problem is that osteoporosis usually develops asymptomatically and you might not know you have it until you break a bone. The most common causes of this condition are:

- Aging

- Having a family history of osteoporosis

- Taking certain medications

- Having a low bone density

- Sedentary lifestyle. 

7. Metabolic syndrome

A metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that occur together that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. These conditions usually include:

- increased blood pressure

- high blood sugar

- excess body fat around the waist

- abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels

Metabolic syndrome is usually linked with obesity and an inactive lifestyle.