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Experts Debate the Effectiveness of Standing Desks in Combating Sedentary Lifestyles

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Standing desks have gained popularity as a solution for office workers aiming to counter the negative health impacts of prolonged sitting. While marketed as tools for weight loss, improved blood sugar regulation, and reduced back pain, experts remain divided on their actual benefits.

Standing vs. Sitting: The Science

Kévin Desbrosses, a researcher at France’s National Research and Safety Institute (INRS), highlights some advantages of standing over sitting. “Sedentary behavior is defined as sitting or lying down for extended periods with very low energy expenditure,” he told Euronews Health. Desbrosses explained that standing promotes better blood flow and expends more energy, though prolonged standing can also have drawbacks.

A study led by Matthew Ahmadi of the University of Sydney revealed mixed results. “Standing was better than sitting overall, but it wasn’t associated with a significantly lower risk of heart disease,” Ahmadi said. However, extended periods of standing were linked to circulatory problems such as varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis due to blood pooling in the legs.

Another recent study from the University of Turku in Finland found that prolonged standing at work could lead to higher blood pressure, raising further questions about its suitability as a long-term solution.

Movement: The Key to Better Health

Experts agree that incorporating regular movement into daily routines is more effective than simply alternating between sitting and standing. Desbrosses advocates for frequent posture changes, ideally every 30 minutes, using adjustable-height desks as a helpful tool.

Prolonged sitting, research shows, is linked to a range of health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and even depression. Alicia Fillon from the French National Observatory on Physical Activity and Sedentariness explained that sitting too long affects the body’s ability to regulate arterial dilation, leading to oxidative stress and inflammation.

Fillon also noted the cognitive risks of excessive sitting. Studies indicate that it increases the risk of dementia over time, even in individuals who exercise regularly.

Impact on Productivity

A 2019 review of scientific literature found no negative effects on productivity when individuals alternated between sitting and standing. This suggests that integrating movement into the workday doesn’t compromise performance.

The Bottom Line

While standing desks offer some benefits, experts emphasize that they are not a comprehensive solution. Regular movement, including brief walking or stretching breaks, remains the most effective way to combat the health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle. As research continues, balancing sitting, standing, and movement seems to be the healthiest approach for office workers.

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Switzerland Reports First Case of Contagious New Mpox Strain as Outbreak Spreads Across Europe

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Switzerland has confirmed its first case of a new, highly contagious strain of mpox, marking the latest European country to report an infection of the virus. The case, detected in a person who had recently traveled to Uganda, follows a rise in mpox infections in Central Africa, where the strain emerged in 2023.

The strain, known as clade Ib, has been responsible for thousands of infections in Central Africa, particularly in countries like Burundi and Uganda. This variant is believed to cause more severe illness, with a higher risk of death, especially among children. Health experts are also concerned that it spreads more easily than previous strains.

Mpox, a viral disease that can cause fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash, spreads primarily through close skin-to-skin contact. In addition to the Central African region, the new strain has been detected in several countries outside of Africa, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, China, and parts of Europe.

Switzerland’s public health agency reported that the infected individual was in isolation, and no further risk to the public has been identified. However, the agency advised anyone with symptoms to seek medical advice immediately. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) confirmed the infection as part of a broader trend of rising cases in Europe linked to travel from regions experiencing active outbreaks.

The United Kingdom has also seen a number of clade Ib cases, with the most recent infection reported in April. Notably, this case was not linked to recent travel, suggesting possible local transmission. The UK Health Security Agency confirmed that no further cases were found among close contacts, and the public risk remains low. The UK has prepared for the possibility of more cases by acquiring over 150,000 doses of the mpox vaccine.

Germany has reported eight cases of the new strain, with the most recent occurring in February. Belgium and France have seen smaller numbers of cases, with infections linked to travel from Central Africa. Sweden, the first European country to report a case in 2024, remains the only nation with a confirmed infection tied to the new strain.

The World Health Organization declared a global public health emergency in August 2024, urging European health authorities to prepare for potential cases. While the risk to the general public remains low, health officials continue to monitor the situation closely, urging travelers to avoid areas with ongoing outbreaks and to seek medical advice if they develop symptoms.

As the outbreak spreads, the situation highlights the challenges of containing contagious diseases across borders, especially as global travel continues to increase.

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Study Reveals Surprising Global Patterns in Loneliness Among Older Adults

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A major international study has uncovered significant differences in how loneliness affects older adults and those in midlife, depending on where they live. The findings challenge long-held assumptions that loneliness primarily affects the very old and very young, suggesting instead that geography, social systems, and life circumstances play key roles.

Researchers analyzed data from more than 64,000 people aged 50 to 90 across 29 countries, mostly in Europe, using a standardized loneliness scale that asked how often participants felt isolated, lacked companionship, or were left out.

The study, published in Aging & Mental Health, found that people generally become lonelier as they age. However, the extent of that loneliness varied significantly by country. In Bulgaria and Latvia, for example, older adults reported some of the steepest increases in loneliness with age, while countries like Denmark, Switzerland, and Austria reported the lowest loneliness levels overall.

Conversely, in the United States, the most pronounced loneliness was found not among the elderly but among people in midlife—making it the only country in the study where that was the case. A similar trend appeared in the Netherlands, though researchers noted data limitations there.

The study identified key factors linked to loneliness across all age groups, including unemployment, poor health, depression, and being unmarried. However, the impact of these factors varied between countries. In the U.S., for instance, being out of work in midlife was especially tied to feelings of isolation.

“Loneliness is not just a late-life issue,” said Esteban Calvo, senior author of the study and dean at Universidad Mayor in Chile. “Our findings suggest it’s influenced by a range of societal and personal factors, not just age.”

Experts say the study underscores the need for tailored, culturally sensitive approaches to addressing loneliness. “A one-size-fits-all approach will not solve this worldwide problem,” Calvo added.

The study did have limitations. Data were collected before the COVID-19 pandemic, and low response rates in some countries may affect how representative the results are. It also did not fully distinguish between different life circumstances—such as whether someone was widowed or had never married—making some findings harder to interpret.

Still, researchers say the implications are important. “Loneliness is a bit like hunger,” said Caterina Mauri, a senior researcher at the Free University of Brussels, who was not involved in the study. “It’s a signal to seek more connections, and when ignored, it can lead to serious mental and physical health consequences.”

With loneliness increasingly recognized as a global health concern, experts say more attention must be paid—not just to the elderly, but to people of all ages facing social disconnection.

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Tuberculosis Cases Surge in England as Health Officials Sound Alarm Over Resurgence

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England has reported a concerning 13% increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases over the past year, marking the second consecutive annual rise and the largest jump since at least 1971. The resurgence, which affects both immigrants and people born in the UK, has prompted renewed calls for better public health strategies and improved awareness of the disease.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed 5,480 TB cases were recorded in England last year, following an 11% increase in 2022. Once thought of as a disease of the past, TB is re-emerging as a public health threat. Experts warn the spike is likely linked to disruptions in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside worsening social conditions such as overcrowding, homelessness, and undernutrition.

Anja Madhvani, a 35-year-old event manager from Leeds, is among those who were unexpectedly struck by the disease. While running an ultramarathon in Morocco in 2018, Madhvani became severely ill—feverish, coughing up blood, and hallucinating in the desert. Initially misdiagnosed upon returning to the UK, she was eventually found to have TB and spent nearly a year recovering through intensive treatment.

“I had been walking around with this deadly thing inside of me and had no idea,” Madhvani told Euronews Health, adding that some effects still linger. She unknowingly transmitted the disease to close contacts, including her mother, who continues to suffer health consequences years later.

TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, claiming an estimated 1.25 million lives in 2023. While most prevalent in Southeast Asia and Africa, its resurgence in wealthy nations like the UK is viewed by experts as a warning sign of deeper societal issues.

“Because TB is the archetypal disease of poverty, it’s a sentinel for other conditions,” said Dr. Tom Wingfield of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

The increase has triggered a government review of its five-year TB action plan, with health officials looking to enhance early detection, improve treatment adherence, and increase screening, especially among new immigrants. However, advocates warn that funding gaps and limited mental health support for patients remain major barriers.

Despite the rise, most TB cases in the UK are not drug-resistant, meaning they are still treatable with timely medical intervention. But early diagnosis is crucial—not only to protect patients but to prevent the spread of the disease.

“I don’t think people understand what TB will do to you if you don’t get it sorted,” Madhvani said. “It doesn’t matter how wealthy you are—if you come into contact with it, you’re at risk.”

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