The problem with sitting

Sitting is officially bad for you. The shocking truth is that people who sit for 6 or more hours per day are 40% more likely to die within 15 years compared to someone who sits less than 3 hours a day, even if they exercise. If you have an office job, you most likely spend 8-9 hours sitting on your rump a day. What’s the problem with sitting? New research shows that people who spend long periods sitting are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and certain types of cancers.

What can you do?

Take breaks every hour (get up, walk around, do some stretches or jumping jacks)

Be more active (make the most of your non-sitting time)

Get yourself an adjustable desk

Improve your posture while sitting

Helpful Links:
Physical Activity Guidelines – Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology
Posture for a Healthy Back – Cleveland Clinic class
Sitting is Killing You Facts - Medical Billing and Coding
Sitting for Too Long Is Bad for Your Health - WebMD
Sitting Takes Toll on Body, Scientists Find - Canadian Obesity Network

This Week's Health News in Brief

NY Times: Osteoporosis is slow; bone density tests can wait, study says
NY Times: How exercise may keep alzheimer’s at bay

Region of Waterloo Public Health: Protecting yourself from extreme cold

CBC: Ontario to help addiction patients quit smoking
CBC: Liver and thyroid cancer rates rise
CBC: Selective abortions prompt call for ultrasound rules

KW Record: Cystic fibrosis patients urged not to get together
KW Record: Whooping cough returns as vaccine modified to reduce side-effects
KW Record: Exercise program helps seniors cope at home

Globe & Mail: No clear evidence Tamiflu works, study finds
Globe & Mail: Mentally ill and ‘out' but not yet embraced
Globe & Mail: Bring back the pop? School junk food doesn’t cause obesity: study

Cambridge Times: Walk supports Alzheimer Society

CTV News: Aging population pushing cancer rates higher: StatsCan
CTV News: Skiing, snowboarding top list of winter sports injuries
CTV News: Study suggests caffeine may help premature babies

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we subscribe to, access our Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full text access to 41 different news sources from across Canada.

Health Tool of the Week:
What Does 200 Calories Look Like?

Programs @ KPL: Achieving Your New Year's Resolution (Tues Jan 17 @ Grand River)

Achieving Your New Year’s Resolution with Dr. Jeff Winchester, DC, Bridgeport Family Chiropractic

Have you joined a gym and then not gone? Have you tried to lose weight, and then gained it all back? Jeff went from couch potato to running the Boston Marathon in just 5 years. Learn how to maximize living every day.

Register for this program by calling the library at 519-896-1736.

Tuesday January 17 at 6:30 pm

Grand River Stanley Park

New Year, New YOU!

It's the beginning of a New Year, and that means resolution season is upon us -- what have you resolved to do this year? Drop 10 pounds? Eat healthier? Quit smoking?

Instead of making a list of empty promises to yourself yet another year, stick with it by being specific and writing it down as well as regularly reviewing and holding yourself accountable to your resolution(s).

Need some motivation? Here are 10 easy resolutions you can feel good about!

1. Eat more fruits and veggies
2. Be more active (start with taking the stairs, going for a daily 10 minute walk, parking at the back, biking to work, etc.)
3. Read food labels (you'll be surprised at what you can learn about what's going into your body!)
4. Choose whole grains over white (multi-grain bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, etc.)
5. Cut back on your alcohol consumption
6. Drink more water (which means less pop, coffee and sugary drinks)
7. Shop the 'outside' of the grocery store (hit up the produce, meat, and daily while avoiding the snack items and processed foods)
8. Consume less processed sugar (substitute with honey, agave nectar, maple syrup, etc.)
9. Prepare your weekday lunch and snacks in advance so you don't munch on junk food
10. Try a new activity or sport (like salsa dancing or snowshoeing)

Remember, all 5 KPL locations have plenty of materials on diet, exercise and healthy living. Check out the latest and greatest below, or search our new catalogue

Top Health Stories 2011

New Year's Eve is the perfect time to reflect on the past year's events. Take a look at the links below to see the top health stories of 2011:

WebMD
The Telegraph
CBC
The Atlantic
CNN
Fox News

The KPL HealthLink team wishes you a healthy 2012! We look forward to providing you with valuable news and health information in the New Year!