The Stand Up & Eat web site is dedicated to helping people stand up more and eat better. And we’re not a moment too soon, given new data that confirms that Americans are more sedentary than we thought.

In a study published earlier this year in the American Journal of Epidemiology, accelerometers were used to objectively measure the physical activity levels among 6,329 people six years old and older.  An accelerometer is a small device worn on a subject’s waist which measures and stores information about the intensity of a person’s body movement.  Previous attempts to assess the physical activity and sedentary habits of a representative sample of Americans have used self-report questionnaires, a method that is easier but much less accurate. 

Researchers found that on average, children and adults in the U.S. spent almost 55% of their waking time (nearly eight hours) in sedentary behaviors.  Study participants didn’t record what they were doing when they were not active, so there is no way to know how much time was spent watching television, commuting to and from work or school, sitting a desk, etc.  But these data clearly show that we do an awful lot of nothing all day long – at least when is comes to moving around.

This study also supports research findings that we cited in an earlier blog - children become more sedentary as they enter adolescence.  Researchers also noted that from about age 30 on, there was a steady increase in sedentary time, with people 70-85 spending two-thirds of their time being sedentary.  Mexican-American adults were less sedentary than other adults.

Given our hectic days and technology-aided lives, what are ways we can be less sedentary?  Remember, you burn 33% more calories standing than you do sitting.