According to a study, Korean adults’ average daily sitting time is rising quickly.
The Korea Health Promotion Development Institute reported that in 2023, Korean adults spend an average of nine hours a day sitting, up from 8.3 hours in 2018. Sedentary behaviors like working, studying, watching TV, and using smart devices require little energy while seated. The amount of time adults spend sitting has steadily increased in recent years, raising concerns about the potential health effects.
Adolescents, in particular, spend more time sitting than adults. Teenagers spend an average of eleven hours a day sitting. Sitting for activities other than studying on weekdays rose from 2.6 hours in 2017 to 3.4 hours in 2023. This reflects the increase in leisure-time sitting in addition to schoolwork and is closely linked to the sharp rise in the use of smart devices.
The detrimental effects on health grow alongside the time spent sitting. Studies have linked excessive sitting to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, musculoskeletal disorders, and even cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises adults to perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of high-intensity aerobic exercise per week, and the Korea Health Promotion Development Institute continues to emphasize the importance of physical activity.
Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise raises your heart rate and causes perspiration. Bowling, screen golf, table tennis, and indoor cycling are a few examples. On the other hand, high-intensity aerobic exercise includes rock climbing, tennis, chin-ups, push-ups, and running, which make you breathless and cause your heart to race. These workouts are effective in lowering the health risks associated with sedentary behavior.
Professor Ha Min Seong from Seoul City University stressed that even if sitting time increases, it is crucial to regularly participate in physical activity for more than 30 minutes each day. He asserted, “You should actively incorporate exercise into your daily routine to maintain and manage your health.” He added, “You can reduce the side effects of sedentary behavior if you consistently engage in physical activity for more than 30 minutes every day.” He also mentioned that exercise benefits both mental and physical health.
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