Sitting for an inappropriate amount of time is already being hailed as the “new smoking” due to the gravity of its health risks and implications to human lives.
January 31, 2023 — Entitled “Ngayong Pasko Maging Aktibo: Galaw, Sayaw, Hataw”, the 129th and last Stop COVID Deaths Webinar Series episode for the year 2022 held on December 9 encouraged viewers to have physical activity which has been limited by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
According to DOH Undersecretary Enrique “Eric” Tayag, the consecutive lockdowns and pandemic restrictions had significantly decreased physical activity across ages worldwide, which in turn increased the previously 80% rate of physical inactivity across the world population. This data is deemed alarming considering that sedentary living is becoming a huge trend around the globe.
With school and work allowed at home, sitting significantly replaced normal physical activities such as walking and sports in the daily lives of people. Evidence suggests that sitting for a long period of time poses numerous risks to an individual’s health, some of which include cardiovascular illnesses, cancer, and diabetes. While people remain largely unaware of its repercussions, sitting for an inappropriate amount of time is already being hailed as the “new smoking” due to the gravity of its health risks and implications to human lives.
For this reason, the medical community is calling for joint efforts to promote increased physical activity around the globe. WHO also posits that physical activity “improves health and overall well-being and contributes to the prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. It also reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety and enhances mental capacity, thinking, and learning”.
UP-Philippine General Hospital Director Gerardo Legaspi agreed with the discussed sentiments and shared practical tips on how to increase physical activity at work. One of the personal strategies he shared is the use of stairs instead of elevator every once in a while to increase leg movement while working. In his talk, he also discussed how exercise can significantly help in the recovery of stroke patients physically, and even psychologically.
While the presenters kept on urging the viewers to pursue increased physical activity, they recognized that it is still hard to return to normal outdoor activities at this time. In relation to this, Tayag informed the audience of the risks of exercising outside and cited ways to ensure safety from COVID-19 infection. He advised that it is best to avoid crowded areas, consistently wear mask, choose well-ventilated facilities, and keep safe distance from other people when exercising outside. He also added that before exercising, one should contextualize his or her risks and identify health targets in order to properly strategize the exercise plan.
In conclusion, Tayag reiterated to everyone that returning to normal physical activities must be accompanied with safety measures against COVID-19 infection.
Francis Nicole G. Maga | Published in the UP Manila Healthscape Issue No. 47 (January 2023)
