The Netherlands, a Nation of Exercise Enthusiasts, Faces Increased Death Risk Due to This

Long Sitting Time Offsets Exercise Benefits
Sitting Habits Affect Diabetes and Cancer Risks

The Netherlands, known as the healthiest country in Europe with the highest level of physical activity, paradoxically shows a higher likelihood of death from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer.

The cause of this paradoxical result is attributed to the habitual "sitting behavior," according to research. The Netherlands is the country that exercises the most in Europe, but at the same time, it is also the country where people sit the longest.

On the 11th (local time), foreign media such as the British BBC and The Guardian reported that the Netherlands is the "European sitting habit champion." According to a report by the Dutch research institute TNO, the Dutch sit for about 8 hours and 10 minutes a day, making it the longest sedentary lifestyle in Europe.

Prolonged sitting time has been shown to deteriorate health.
[Image source=Pixabay]

At the same time, the Netherlands is a healthy country that enjoys sports such as cycling and jogging the most in Europe. However, sedentary habits have been found to offset the benefits brought by regular exercise. Leonard, a Dutch cardiologist, strongly criticized in the media that "the Dutch are addicted to chair use."

The reason Leonard is concerned about excessive sedentary behavior is that "blood flow becomes stagnant." He explained, "When you exercise, a substance called nitric oxide is produced in the blood vessels inside the body, which is one of the most important substances that keep the human body healthy," adding, "It dilates blood vessels to increase blood flow, prevents the worsening of bad cholesterol, and inhibits clotting and inflammation formation."

Another researcher pointed out that "daily lifestyle habits" are more important for long-term health than "exercise time." For example, the British exercise much less on average than the Dutch, but because the Dutch have a higher proportion of people who lead a sedentary lifestyle for more than 8 hours a day, the population exposed to heart disease, cancer, and diabetes is higher.

The researcher said, "The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends about 30 minutes of vigorous activity per day, but 30 minutes a day is a very small proportion of the 16 to 17 hours we are awake," and pointed out, "If you do not pay attention to 'sitting time,' it is actually meaningless."

He continued, "Most people do not know how much time we spend in sedentary behavior. Humans sit when watching streaming services like Netflix, and also when eating at the table," he criticized.

As of 2022, Dutch workers reportedly sat for an average of 8.9 hours a day while working. Lawyers, economists, and IT company employees sit for 7.3 hours a day, and truck drivers sit for 7.2 hours. TNO emphasizes that even reducing sitting time by 25% a day can significantly reduce the risk of premature death.