Technological advances and the habits of modern life have drastically reduced levels of physical activity around the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) now warns that inactivity and sedentary lifestyles are one of the main risk factors for health problems and premature death.
It is important, however, to draw a distinction between a sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity. Inactivity is defined as a level of daily movement below the healthy recommendations (a minimum of 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise). Sedentary refers to the hours of the day when we are sitting or lying down. This includes time spent commuting and at work, or at home reading, using a phone or watching TV.
