[서울 = 뉴스핌] Oh Gwang-soo, cultural reporter = The average amount of time Koreans over 19 sit per day is 8.9 hours. Research has shown that chairs, which have become modern people’s best friend, lead not only to simple musculoskeletal pain but also to cardiovascular disease, obesity, metabolic disease, and even cancer. KBS 1TV’s ‘Secrets of Birth, Old Age, Illness, and Death’ featured three participants on a three-week ‘chair’ program. We carried out the ‘Escape from Bottle Project’.
◆ Stool disease can be life-threatening
Game broadcaster Lim Ji-hoon (28) is about to undergo disc surgery. Although he is still young, he has difficulty even doing simple exercises due to severe back pain and numbness in his legs. The reason his condition became more serious was because of the chair he had been sitting on for more than half a day.
Kim Mi-ja (69), who has been rolling kimbap for 20 years, underwent surgery for lower extremity veins. This is because my varicose veins worsened as I sat and studied for 7 to 8 hours to pursue my dream of becoming a full-time student. Sitting for long periods of time not only has a negative effect on blood circulation, but can even lead to the formation of blood clots, which can be life-threatening.
◆ No need for a gym? The way to escape chair disease is through small movements in daily life.
Kim Joo-won (40) spent more than 12 hours a day in front of the computer playing games in his early 20s. The secret to how he, who once weighed over 104kg, was able to lose over 50kg was squats and walking. Joo-won says that it is possible to lose weight without going to the gym if you have the will to exercise. Is that really possible? Let’s listen to the know-how of Kim Joo-won, who has become a professional ‘home training’ trainer.
Dr. James Levine, an American endocrinologist who sparked the standing work craze in Korea in 2016. At that time, he personally felt the dangers of sitting on a chair for long periods of time, and developed a treadmill desk that allowed people to work while exercising, drawing people’s attention. Now, 10 years later, how is he doing?
Dr. James Levine says that even if you don’t have fancy exercise equipment, you can stay healthy through small movements in your daily life, such as standing for meetings or walking frequently. He once again emphasized the importance of the ‘NEAT’ movement. The problem is that rather than doing it alone, the effect can be doubled when everyone works together. We meet him in person and find a way to escape chair disease.
◆ ‘Decision’ to break up with the chair
Experts say that it is important to have frequent movement in daily life in order to escape from chair disease. So how can we practice ‘NEAT’ exercise in our daily lives? The production team selected three applicants who said they usually sit on chairs for long periods of time but do not have time to exercise.
Freelance producer Kim Kyung-won (26)’s day begins and ends with a chair. He does all of his work, eating, and hobbies from a chair. He has gained 55kg in weight since he started working as a producer, and is always suffering from pain in his trapezius muscle. And the same goes for K-office workers Cha Sun-hee (40) and Jeong Seung-hwa (37) who spend all work hours sitting except when going to the bathroom.
However, after checking the health of the three applicants, not only orthopedic problems but also various metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure were discovered. How can the three cases overcome the health crisis caused by a sedentary life?
◆ Overcome chair disease with a chair?!
Under the guidance of Professor Hong Jeong-ki of the Department of Sports Medicine at CHA University Medical School, I was prescribed ‘niche exercises’ that could be practiced using only the ‘chair’ I was sitting on without any special equipment. Three weeks later, surprising changes occurred in the patients. In addition to weight loss, there were also changes in health. What kind of change actually occurred?
The dangers of sitting for long periods of time were confirmed, and the body changes achieved through intermittent exercise were achieved by patients who could not easily get off their chairs! It will be revealed on ‘Secrets of Birth, Old Age, Illness, and Death’ on November 27th at 10 PM.
Here are two PAA (People, Actions, Answers) related questions for the interview:
## Breaking Free from the Chair: An Interview on Combating Sedentary Living
**Welcome to World Today News! Today, we have a fascinating discussion on a topic that affects us all – the dangers of prolonged sitting and the surprisingly simple ways we can combat it. Joining us are two esteemed guests: Dr. Sarah Kim, a leading specialist in sports medicine and public health, and Mr. David Lee, a certified personal trainer and advocate for incorporating movement into everyday life.**
**Section 1: The Sitting Epidemic**
* **Dr. Kim, the article highlights the alarming statistic that Koreans over 19 sit for an average of 8.9 hours per day. Is this a global trend, and what are the long-term health implications of such prolonged inactivity?**
* **Mr. Lee, beyond the physical health risks mentioned in the article like cardiovascular disease and obesity, how does excessive sitting impact our mental wellbeing and overall quality of life?**
**Section 2: The Power of ”NEAT”**
* **Dr. Kim, the article touches upon the concept of “NEAT” – Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis. Could you explain what NEAT is and how incorporating small movements throughout our day can significantly benefit our health?**
* **Mr. Lee, the article mentions individuals like Kim Joo-won, who lost over 50kg through home exercises and walking. What are some practical and accessible “NEAT” strategies that people can easily integrate into their daily routines, even if they have busy schedules?**
**Section 3: Challenging the Chair Paradigm:**
* **Dr. Kim, the article explores the idea of “niche exercises” that can be done while seated. Is this a viable solution for individuals who find it physically challenging to break away from their chairs for extended periods? What are some examples of effective seated exercises?**
* **Mr. Lee, the article emphasizes the importance of addressing both the physical and psychological barriers to reducing sedentary behavior. What strategies can individuals use to overcome these challenges and make long-term lifestyle changes?**
**Section 4: A Call to Action**
* **Dr. Kim, what are the broader societal implications of the increasing sedentary lifestyle? What steps can workplaces, educational institutions, and policymakers take to promote a more active environment?**
* **Mr. Lee, what final message would you like to leave our viewers with? How can we empower ourselves and others to prioritize movement and break free from the chair?”**
**Thank you both for your insightful viewpoints and practical advice. Let’s all take inspiration from this conversation and make conscious efforts to move more throughout our day. Remember, every step counts!**
This interview structure utilizes open-ended questions to encourage thoughtful discussion and explore various perspectives on the issue of sedentary living and strategies to combat it. It delves deeper into the key topics covered in the article, provides expert insights, and ultimately encourages viewers to take action towards a healthier and more active lifestyle.
