Women Who Sit All Day at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

And to think we were worried about the chance of encountering Anthrax. A recent study out of the University of Leicester shows that, even if you exercise the recommended 30 minutes a day, extended periods of sitting (i.e., at your desk) could put you at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 

Out of the 500 men and women assessed, the women who spent the most time sitting had higher levels of insulin and other fatty tissue proteins and chemicals present at the onset of diabetes. These results were found even for women who exercised 30 minutes a day, but who were seated for the rest of the day. 

The researchers concluded that, in order to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, women must find ways to avoid sitting all day. So if you’ve got a desk job, try to get up and walk around regularly and find other ways to get spurts of activity in your day.

And in case you were wondering… No, men don’t seem to have to worry about this as much as women. The researchers detected a much weaker link between extended periods of sitting and increased type 2 diabetes risk in the males participating in the study. While they have no evidence as to why this is, they hypothesized that women might snack more while sitting, or that men take part in more vigorous physical activity when they’re not sedentary. 

Diabetes is no joke. So, until they pinpoint the actual cause for the link between sitting all day and diabetes, we suggest you get rid of the M&Ms dish next to the computer and start thinking along the lines of your favorite creepy Aunt Barbara who switched out the chair for a medicine ball.