Sitting less lowers metabolic syndrome risk in older adults

A new study shows that older adults can improve their metabolic health by simply spending less time sitting. The research emphasizes that reducing sedentary behavior can lower the risk of metabolic syndrome, regardless of physical activity levels or diet quality. The study was published in The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging. It involved 871 adults aged 65 to 79 from four European countries. Researchers analyzed how much time participants spent sitting and engaged in light to moderate physical activities. They found that older adults typically spend 60% of their waking hours sedentary. Importantly, those who sat less than 8.3 hours a day had a significantly lower risk of developing metabolic syndrome. This condition includes health issues like insulin resistance and high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes. The study revealed that physically active participants still benefited from sitting less, even if they did not meet the recommended exercise guidelines. Researchers concluded that reducing sedentary time is crucial for metabolic health. This is good news for older adults who may struggle to engage in vigorous exercise, as even light activities can offer health benefits. However, the study did not include individuals with severe health issues, meaning its findings may not apply to everyone. Overall, the results suggest that simply moving more and sitting less can have a positive impact on health in older adults.