Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, a preventive cardiologist at Mayo Clinic, has emphasized the importance of an active lifestyle in combating numerous health issues. The statement was made on April 4th.
"Being sedentary is the new smoking," said Lopez-Jimenez, according to Mayo Clinic News Network. "These findings indicate that there are more ways to do that work while remaining productive and mentally sharp. We would do well to consider an active workstation in the prescription for prevention and treatment of conditions like obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes."
According to Mayo Clinic, a study involving 44 individuals was conducted to assess the impact of different levels of physical activity in various office environments. Some offices were equipped with exercise workstations that included options for standing, walking or using a stepper to promote an active day. In addition to physical assessments, participants' cognitive abilities were also evaluated, focusing on aspects such as concentration and short-term memory. It was found that those who utilized the active workstations demonstrated either improved or maintained brain function.
Mayo Clinic suggests several methods to remain active during work hours. These include using a walking pad, bike, stepper or standing desk to counteract the effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Prolonged periods of sitting can potentially lead to chronic diseases; therefore, it is crucial to monitor and limit sedentary time. Based on the research findings, it is recommended that spending more time on your feet could be highly beneficial for cardiovascular health. Maintaining an active and non-sedentary lifestyle can assist in managing obesity and high blood pressure among other conditions.
Lopez-Jimenez's credentials extend beyond his role as a preventive cardiologist at Mayo Clinic. According to Mayo Clinic, he holds an MS in Clinical Epidemiology from Harvard School of Public Health and serves as a professor of medicine specializing in obesity and cardiovascular health studies. His research interests encompass national trends in cardiovascular risk, significance of body adiposity to cardiovascular risk, and the effects of obesity and weight loss on myocardial function.
