Prolonged Sitting Increases Risk of Kidney Disease

Individuals who sit for several hours of the day not only put themselves at risk for obesity and sore limbs, but also increase the risk of developing diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

CKD is a condition where the kidneys aren't able to properly filter blood, which can lead to waste build-up within the body and eventually kidney failure. Known causes of chronic kidney disease include high blood pressure and diabetes. Prolonged sitting will cause obesity, thus causing diabetes and CKD.

Women are able to lower their risk of developing chronic kidney disease by sitting fewer hours a day -- their risk fall by more than 30 percent when they cut sitting time from eight hours to three hours daily. Men also see a benefit in slashing sitting time from eight to three hours, though their risk decreased less by just 15 percent. However, men are more likely to be able to offset the increased risk of chronic kidney disease by exercising, compared with women.

Prolonged sitting is unhealthy, even in people who are not overweight and those who exercise regularly. Traditional moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking, jogging or running on the treadmill may be more important for men, whereas reducing prolonged periods of sitting time may be more important for women.