Representative image NEW DELHI: You may faithfully hit the gym every morning, go for a brisk walk or complete your daily yoga session. But if your job keeps you glued to a chair for eight to 10 hours, that workout alone may not be enough.A study published in PLOS Medicine has found that prolonged sitting is associated with a higher risk of developing and dying from cancer, even among people who meet recommended physical activity levels.Tracking more than 91,000 adults for over 12 years, researchers found that every additional hour of sitting continuously for more than 30 minutes was associated with about a 10% higher risk of dying from cancer. Replacing sitting with physical activity was linked to a lower risk.”Regular exercise remains essential, but it should be combined with frequent movement throughout the day. Long, uninterrupted sitting appears to independently increase cancer risk and mortality,” said Dr Abhishek Shankar, assistant professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, AIIMS Delhi.He said prolonged sitting reduces muscle activity, impairs metabolism and promotes insulin resistance, inflammation, weight gain and hormonal changes, potentially increasing risks of colorectal, breast and endometrial cancers.Researchers cautioned that the observational study does not prove causation but said wearable device-based tracking strengthens the evidence.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi Praises Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban, Says ‘India Learning From It’Flood Fury Disrupts Cities Nationwide, IMD Issues Red Alerts Amid Relentless RainfallAustralia To Return Three Historic Indian Artefacts During PM Modi’s VisitTensions In MVA As Sanjay Raut Slams Sharad Pawar For Holding Meeting At Eknath Shinde’s OfficeIndia, Myanmar Review Border Security, Intelligence Sharing’Hit With Iron Rod’: Bengaluru PT Teacher Booked After Allegedly Beating 12-Year-Old To DeathIndian Railways Clarifies Digital Ticket Rules: Only Original Rail One App Ticket Will Be AcceptedIndia and Australia Finalise Uranium Export Arrangement Under Civil Nuclear AgreementUGC-NET Under Scanner After Alleged Paper Leak; Education Ministry Seeks NTA InvestigationDRDO Successfully Tests Pinaka Long-Range Guided Rocket; Hits Target With Pinpoint Accuracy123PhotostoriesWho was ‘Miss Dior’? The fascinating woman behind Christian Dior’s most iconic perfume8 nicknames for white dogs that perfectly match their personality and charm7 Plants with leaves and flowers that naturally stain and dyeFrom a Rs 2.5 crore watch to Shikhar Pahariya’s name in her mehendi: Inside Janhvi Kapoor’s most talked-about moments at Anshula Kapoor’s weddingFeeling better isn’t a reason to stop antibiotics: Doctor warns the habit is fueling the rise of deadly superbugsShould you apply coconut oil before or after washing your hair? Experts finally settle the debate10 international baby names that work across different culturesAamir Khan’s rare ruby wedding ring for Gauri Spratt took 256 hours and 131 artisans to createPowerful life lessons Japanese parents teach their children that the rest of the world can learn fromClear your bowels naturally every morning with these 10 foods123Hot PicksIndia-AustraliaTiesOmar AbdullahMorocco VS FranceMahadev AppNET paper leakMonsoon trackerStock market todayStrait of HormuzAP DEECET rank cardTop TrendingCrude oilRamesh MhatreUS Section 301FIFA World Cup 2026India u19 vs Sri Lanka U19Andhra Hospital MurderWeather todayDelhi NCR rainBihar BDO Wife MurderIran war
NEW DELHI: You may faithfully hit the gym every morning, go for a brisk walk or complete your daily yoga session. But if your job keeps you glued to a chair for eight to 10 hours, that workout alone may not be enough.A study published in PLOS Medicine has found that prolonged sitting is associated with a higher risk of developing and dying from cancer, even among people who meet recommended physical activity levels.Tracking more than 91,000 adults for over 12 years, researchers found that every additional hour of sitting continuously for more than 30 minutes was associated with about a 10% higher risk of dying from cancer. Replacing sitting with physical activity was linked to a lower risk.“Regular exercise remains essential, but it should be combined with frequent movement throughout the day. Long, uninterrupted sitting appears to independently increase cancer risk and mortality,” said Dr Abhishek Shankar, assistant professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, AIIMS Delhi.He said prolonged sitting reduces muscle activity, impairs metabolism and promotes insulin resistance, inflammation, weight gain and hormonal changes, potentially increasing risks of colorectal, breast and endometrial cancers.Researchers cautioned that the observational study does not prove causation but said wearable device-based tracking strengthens the evidence.
