Spending too long sitting raises the risk of heart disease and diabetes in people over 60, warns a major global review.
The review published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, analysed data from 28 international studies involving 82,000 people aged 60 and older.
It flags strong links between sitting time and worsening markers for chronic disease including high blood sugar, cholesterol, waist size, and blood pressure. And that’s even for people who exercise regularly.
That means — whether watching TV, using a tablet or reading a book — the longer older people sit, the higher their risk of major health problems like heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
“This is a link we can’t ignore,” said Dr Daniel Bailey, Reader in Sedentary Behaviour and Health at the Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University of London. “You can meet the weekly exercise target, but if you spend the rest of the day sitting, your health is still at risk.”
In the UK, where more than 12 million people are aged 65 or older, older adults can spend up to 80% of their waking hours sitting down and longer during winter or for people with mobility issues. That means millions may be unknowingly accumulating risks day after day — a concern for families, carers, and health professionals.
One of the most revealing findings was that the harmful effect of sitting for long periods showed up even in otherwise healthy older adults, not just those already diagnosed with illness. Waist measurement, a major predictor of health risk, had the strongest, most consistent link with sitting time.
“We’re seeing these impacts in people who don’t yet feel unwell,” said Dr Bailey. “That means we have a chance to intervene early and protect health before problems start.”
Importantly, the study found limited protective effect from exercise alone. After accounting for how active people were, the damage from long hours of sitting remains.
“The evidence is clear. We urgently need strategies that don’t just encourage exercise, but also help people sit less throughout the day,” said Dr Bailey. “Simple changes make a difference —standing during phone calls, replacing some TV time with gardening or a stroll, or light chores around the house.”
The study by Brunel University of London, the University of Lincoln, Federation University in Australia, and the University of Bedfordshire is the most comprehensive analysis to date linking sedentary behaviour to cardiometabolic risk in later life. As the NHS contends with rising rates of diabetes and heart disease, it spells out to policymakers that keeping moving throughout the day is as vital as structured exercise.
Dr Bailey stressed the shared role of public services, community groups and healthcare professionals to help older people avoid sitting for long stretches: “From GP advice to local councils and charities, there’s a role for everyone in changing the message.”
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