Business of Well-being

The Sitting Crisis

A crisis, to paraphrase Webster, is a crucial situation that points to an impending abrupt change. OK, maybe this is not the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, but we as a nation and much of the world are experiencing a Sitting Crisis. The growing volume of medical research overwhelmingly shows that sitting for extended periods is radically hazardous to our health. The human body is designed to be upright.


Prolonged sitting is neither natural nor safe.In the 19th and early 20th centuries, even office workers and managers mostly stood. In the pre computer age, workers, although assigned to a desk, had to regularly get up, retrieve files or otherwise move around to perform their jobs. However, since the advent of the personal computer, office workers rarely have to move from their chair to perform their jobs.


In addition, , the popularity of video games, tablets and cell phones means we are increasing this inactivity to incredible levels. It is neither a secret nor a wonder we are an obese society with increasingly related health problems. Because of the evolution to a sedentary lifestyle, the new field of inactivity studies was born.


Dr. James A. Levine began doing research at the Mayo Clinic in this field 15 years ago and says at that time it was seen as a novelty. "But it's totally mainstream now, he says. "There's been an explosion of research in this area, because the health care cost implications are so enormous."


Numerous studies show that inactivity, particularly prolonged sitting, weaken muscles and slow down metabolism. The body is not able to absorb and break down fatty acids, putting the person at greater risk of heart disease. Moreover, when muscles are not at work, insulin, which regulates the breakdown of blood sugars, circulates less.


Blood sugar increases, increasing the risk of developing type-2 diabetes, coronary artery disease and stroke. Compared to standing, sitting also puts tremendous pressure on the spine, which often results in significant back ailments. A study by the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana concluded people who spent 10 years in sedentary work were twice as likely to develop colon cancer and had a 44 percent higher rate of rectal cancer.


That research by Dr. Mark Hamilton showed inactivity could shut down genes that control cholesterol levels and prevent blood clots and inflammation. He had a group of physically fit people sit for a day and found this gene shut down within hours. Unfortunately, going to the gym after work will not reverse the negative health impacts caused by excessive sitting during the workday.


Dr. Hamilton concluded that prolonged and excessive sitting will significantly shorten a person's life and coined the phrase "Sitting is the New Smoking." Therefore, we have a "sitting crisis" and something needs to change. A New York Times.com article last December titled, "Stand-Up Desks Gaining Favor in the Workplace" said, "The good news is that when creative capitalism is working as it should, problems open the door to opportunity.


New knowledge spreads, attitudes shift, consumer demand emerges and companies and entrepreneurs develop new products. That process is under way; addressing what might be called the sitting crisis. The results have been workstations that allow modern information workers to stand even walk, while toiling at a keyboard.


Many companies are exploring alternatives to sitting while working. As the word spreads about the health hazards of sitting and the increased productivity of employees who stand at work, employers will create a demand for adjustable height desks and workstations.


Steelcase, the large manufacturer and distributor of office furniture, offered the first adjustable height desk in 2004 but has realized a fivefold increase in sales the last five years. Allan Smith, vice president for product marketing at Steelcase says, "It started out very small, but it's not a niche market anymore."


Their corporate clients include Chevron, Intel, Allstate, Boeing, Apple and Google.GlaxoSmithKline, the pharmaceutical giant, has equipped its Philadelphia offices with alternatives, which include stand up desks that are unassigned to employees but are on a first come first served basis.


One employee says he gets to work early so he can claim one of the standing desks because they fill up faster than the others do. Michael McTigue, the director of digital media for GSK now stands most of the time. "Now, I have a ton more energy." Before, when sitting, he said, "I ended up exhausted at the end of the day."


More and more law firms are opting for sit and stand desks to improve the health and comfort of workers. The Chicago law firm of Quarles and Brady outfitted all their associates with sit and stand desks. Kristen Danyluk, an associate at the firm said, "It's really great to be able to change it up a little. For me, I'm realizing that standing and typing is actually more comfortable than sitting and typing."


Partly because there is such a premium on research, Colleges and Universities are another group that is beginning to appreciate the value of adjustable height desks. Emory University's Oxford campus has purchased 15 Desktop Elevators, an adjustable height device from OiC Innovations in Gainesville, GA that simply sits atop existing desks.


Carol Moser, Sr. HR Administrative Assistant says, "It is a great improvement to be able to stand or sit to do my work. The Desktop Elevator allows me this versatility. Being able to change positions aids in preventing my back and legs from getting tired and keeps I better energized through my work day."


In addition to the health benefits to the employee who stands part of the day while working, companies benefit in three ways. First, healthier employees mean lower medical insurance claims and costs. Secondly, there is less absenteeism. And thirdly, because the metabolism is faster and there is better blood flow, those who stand part of the day report that they are more energized, alert and less fatigued at the end of the day, which translates into higher productivity and a better bottom line.


For these reasons, the look of corporate workstations of the future is changing. Yes, we are in a "Sitting Crisis." The growing volume of research tells us that. However, as with all crises, there is a solution and a change of direction. The demand is increasing for alternatives that provide opportunities for employees to stand as well as sit and the days of the traditional work desk are numbered. Change will not occur overnight, but as the great American corporate workplace evolves for mostly profit reasons, we will become healthier in the process.

About The Author

Chip Mills, after a long and successful career in the insurance industry is now a principal with OiC Innovations, the manufacturer and distributor of The Desktop Elevator, the adjustable height, sit to stand desktop designed to promote the health and wellness of the user. OiC Innovations is headquartered in Gainesville, GA.  Mr. Mills, however, resides in Richmond, VA.

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