Sitting for prolonged periods can silently harm your health without you even realizing it. Remote work, binge-watching, long car rides… Our days are filled with inactivity, and our bodies suffer the consequences, often unnoticed. Conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and weight gain are real dangers arising from a sedentary lifestyle, yet they remain greatly underestimated, particularly among the youth, who have been highlighted as the least aware in a recent survey released by the French Federation of Cardiology. Here’s an explanation.
The French Federation of Cardiology (FFC) conducted a survey in collaboration with IFOP to better understand the effects of sedentary behavior on the French populace. The alarming statistics reveal that 31% of French individuals spend between 6 to 10 hours seated or reclining outside of sleep! This figure rises to 47% among young adults aged 18-24, a demographic typically regarded as more active.
Sedentary Lifestyle: A Slow Poison for Your Body
Young Individuals on the Frontline
Many believe that a few workout sessions each week can counteract an entire day spent glued to a screen. However, according to the French Federation of Cardiology (FFC), the situation is more complex: physical activity alone is insufficient; it is equally important to limit prolonged bouts of inactivity.
The survey by IFOP for the FFC in 2025 reveals a troubling reality: 31% of French citizens remain inactive for 6 to 10 hours a day.
This figure is even more concerning among 18 to 24-year-olds. Almost one in two, or 47%, do not engage in any movement throughout the day. Furthermore, only 68% of people in France report participating in regular or occasional physical activities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates for minimizing time spent sitting, as the repercussions are severe:
- Elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases: lack of movement slows blood circulation, contributing to hypertension and heart-related issues.
- Increased likelihood of type 2 diabetes: lower activity levels lead to slower metabolism and poor blood sugar regulation.
- Higher risk of certain cancers, notably colorectal and breast cancer.
- Inevitable weight gain: an inactive body burns fewer calories, resulting in greater fat storage. Recent data suggests that by 2050, 60% of adults and one-third of children could be overweight.
- Reduced life expectancy: a study published in The Lancet indicates that sedentary behavior is responsible for 1 in 10 deaths globally.
Inactivity: An Insidious Evil Affecting Everyone
It might be assumed that only those who lounge on the couch are affected, but that’s not the case. Even individuals who work out several times a week can be classified as sedentary if they sit for extended periods otherwise.
You may hit the gym three times weekly, yet if you spend eight hours a day at your computer, your body will still experience the adverse effects of a sedentary routine. The issue lies not merely in the lack of exercise but in the cumulative time spent sitting.
How to Combat Sedentary Lifestyles Effortlessly
Set Goals and Stick to Them!
The good news is that there are simple habits you can adopt to mitigate the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle. There’s no need to completely overhaul your daily routine!
- Stand up every 30 minutes. Even a minute of movement can disrupt a cycle of inactivity. Set an alarm, and take advantage of breaks to walk, stretch, or move around.
- Walk more, but there’s no need to run a marathon. Just 30 minutes of brisk walking each day is enough to maintain good health.
- Incorporate movement into your daily routines. Simple actions like walking while taking phone calls, staying active during breaks, or even watching TV while standing or pedaling on a stationary bike can make a difference.
- Turn your daily tasks into physical activities. Cleaning, gardening, playing with children, or dancing while cooking – everything counts!
Establish a clear target for yourself. While the popular recommendation of 10,000 steps a day isn’t backed by scientific evidence, a better average benchmark is about 7,000 steps daily. This can serve as a good indicator of whether you’re getting enough movement. A pedometer or a smartphone app can assist in tracking your progress.
A National Campaign to Encourage Movement
The French Federation of Cardiology has launched a national campaign from March 10 to April 6, 2025, called “Let’s Get Moving.” The goal? To raise awareness among 16 million French citizens about the hazards of sedentary lifestyles and inspire them to be more active.
This initiative includes an inspiring film airing on television, YouTube, and social media platforms with a non-judgmental approach, but a firm mission: to demonstrate that every action counts and that incorporating more movement into daily life is feasible.
As Aline Carré, General Delegate of the FFC, reminds us, “Activity should primarily be enjoyable; it doesn’t need to be intense to be beneficial. Just 30 minutes of brisk walking, taking the stairs, or playing! These are simple, fun ways to safeguard our health and that of our children.”
IMPORTANT TO NOTE
According to a study published in The Lancet, the most sedentary countries are Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq, where over 50% of adults do not engage in sufficient physical activity. Lifestyle plays a critical role. In these Middle Eastern nations, urban living, car dependency, and unbearable heat significantly limit walking. Furthermore, cultural factors often provide services that reduce the need for physical movement, thus adversely affecting overall physical activity.
