Sedentary lifestyle is the lack or absence of physical activities, resulting in reduced caloric expenditure.
A person is considered sedentary when they cannot spend a minimum of 2,200 calories per week with physical activity. The active individual must spend at least 300 calories per day.
Sedentary lifestyle has a high incidence in the population, being considered a public health problem.
It is believed that 46% of the Brazilian population is sedentary. Still, it is estimated that sedentary lifestyle is related to almost 14% of deaths in Brazil.
Causes of sedentary lifestyle
Sedentary lifestyle
There are several causes for sedentary lifestyle, the main one being the lack of physical activities and healthy eating.
Some activities in people's current way of life favor sedentary lifestyles, for example:
- Make use of a car even on short journeys;
- Use escalators;
- Routine taken by various activities;
- Failing to carry out some household activities;
- Exaggerated consumption of processed foods;
- Spend several hours using the computer or in front of the TV.
Consequences of sedentary lifestyle
The consequences of a sedentary lifestyle are:
- Loss of physical strength;
- Muscle atrophy;
- Onset of diseases: type 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension and myocardial infarction;
- accumulation of fat;
- In some more severe cases it can even lead to sudden death.
Child and adolescent sedentary lifestyle
Sedentary lifestyle not only affects adults, it is also quite common in childhood and adolescence, bringing consequences for adult life.
A sedentary child can become an obese adult. However, thin children can also suffer the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle.
Many children have replaced playing with watching TV, playing video games, using computers and tablets. Teenagers also spend hours in front of computers, TV and using cell phones.
In addition to the lack of physical activity, children and adolescents tend to eat more sweets, chocolates, cookies and soda, which contributes to obesity.
Sedentary lifestyle and obesity
Obesity can arise as a result of sedentary lifestyle. This happens when a sedentary lifestyle is associated with a diet rich in sugars and fats.
THE obesity it is the accumulation of excess body fat, characterized by excessive volume in the belly and other parts of the body.
Tips to get out of a sedentary lifestyle
To get out of a sedentary lifestyle, it is necessary to start physical activities. They can start lightly and increase in intensity over time.
Physical activity is essential for a healthy life and far from sedentary lifestyle
The main tips to get out of a sedentary lifestyle are:
- perform a healthy eating;
- Practice at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day;
- Prefer to take short walks;
- practice the labor gymnastics, in the case of office work;
- Exchange elevators for stairs;
- Perform household activities.
In the video below you can find out more tips to keep sedentary lifestyle out of your life and have a healthier routine:
Curiosity
The National Day to Combat Sedentarism is celebrated on March 10th.
