in a health alert issued by the us health and nutrition examination survey* involving 4,757 adults in the united states and which was published in the european heart journal last month, determined that sitting down for too long is bad - regardless of whether the person exercises regularly and has a healthy diet.
what this does is to lower good cholesterol and increases triglycerides.
the study also found that getting up and moving about, even for a minute or two, instead of just sitting for long periods, could result in a smaller waistline and reduce the risk of suffering from a heart attack.
lending credibility to the study, several doctors in singapore said it underscored the importance of not leading too sedentary a lifestyle.
*notes:
from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a survey research program conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) to asses the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States, and to track changes over time. The survey combines interviews and physical examinations. The NHANES interview includes demographic, socioeconomic, dietary, and health-related questions. The examination component consists of medical, dental, and physiological measurements, as well as laboratory tests administered by medical personnel.
The first NHANES was conducted in 1971. Findings from the survey are used to determine the prevalence of major diseases and risk factors for diseases. Information is used to assess nutritional status and its association with health promotion and disease prevention. NHANES findings are also the basis for national standards for such measurements as height, weight, and blood pressure. Data from this survey are used in epidemiological studies and health sciences research, which help develop sound public health policy, direct and design health programs and services, and expand the health knowledge.
my comments:
when we consider that 1 out of 2 singaporeans do not fall into the normal or healthy bmi range of 18.5 to 22.9**, this latest study by the us health and nutrition examination survey certainly adds to the credibility of the numero uno scourge of the modern world, which is obesity.
the world health organisation and governments of the united states, europe and many other countries have been alarmed at the trend of growing obesity amongst the populations.
here in our tiny red dot nation, our government is also focused on tackling the problem of rising obesity.
i have had many clients who may be in the pink of health (with an excellent familly history as well) but when it comes to their bmi which is outside the normal or healthy range, the response from our insurers would be to issue a conditional accceptance in terms of either loading their premiums or exclusions on coverage or even both. in extreme cases, the insurer will even decline their business which has happened in the case of one client (overly obese) being rejected for aviva's myshield/myshield plus moratorium underwriting. this is extremely rare because if the basic 2 conditions of moratorium underwriting are met, aviva's myshield/myshield plus almost always comes with guaranteed acceptance. the 2 basic conditions on aviva's myshield/myshield plus moratorium underwriting are:
a. the applicant or any of the applicant's dependents must never ever had any
deferment/postphonement or being declined for any application, renewal or
reinstatement of life, health or any other insurance policy and;
b. are not in any class 4 occupation.
and now, i should add a crystal clear warning of a third condition that the applicant should not be overly obese as well.
therefore, with this latest health alert, and for those who are still sitting on their butts (pardon my language), may be the impetus to lull them out of their inertia in taking up insurance.
**The recommended Singapore's Asia BMI cut-offs:
BMI for Adults (kg/m2) Health Risk
27.5 and above High Risk
23 - 27.4 Moderate Risk
18.5 - 22.9 Low Risk/
Healthy Range
Below 18.5 Risk of
nutritional
deficiency and
osteoporosis
source: MOH and Health Promotion Board
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