Are We Sitting Ourselves to Death?

Research Backs Diabetes Warnings

November 15th- 21st is Diabetes Awareness Week. One of the themes for this special week is  “stay on your feet and stay sweet as”. This is to encourage people to do 30 minutes of exercise a day. It is an appropriate reminder to us all of just how important it is to “keep moving”.  

More than 200,000 New Zealanders have diabetes and the number is rapidly increasing. New Zealand has the fourth highest rate of diabetes amongst the high income countries.  Sedentary behaviour is one of the known risk factors for Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

“Every hour spent watching TV increases the risk of premature death from all causes,” says Professor Dr David Dunstan from Australia’s Baker IDI Heart and Diabetic Institute.  “We are starting to understand that sitting is a potentially large public health issue”.  He compares it to awareness about the danger of sun damage 20 years ago. One American expert goes as far as to call sitting “the new smoking”.

Whilst walking is an easy way to exercise daily there are many alternatives such as swimming, cycling, going to the gym, dancing or attending exercise classes. It is important too, to look after  our feet in order to remain healthy and active. Joint deformities and stiffness, ulcers, numbness and swelling often occur and are particularly common with diabetes. With the correct care and good blood circulation these can often be avoided.

Keeping the blood circulating freely is not always easy if you are less mobile than previously, cannot have weight bearing or strenuous activity or if you love to sit in front of TV for long evenings. However, there are ways to keep circulation to feet and legs boosted – even while you are sitting.

Some diabetes clinics and podiatrists recommend the Aircycle for this purpose. It is a soft, easy to use, inflatable exerciser which enables you to keep moving while you sit having coffee, reading, watching TV or chatting on the phone. Kept beside a comfortable chair, it is a reminder to exercise and an easy way to help protect your feet and manage the symptoms of diabetes, arthritis and other health conditions. If placed in the lap, hands can be exercised too.

The Aircycle is a great circulation booster and helps to reduce swollen ankles, relieve cramps, joint pain and stiffness. It also helps strengthen leg muscles to enable people to remain mobile. It is useful for convalescent patients, travellers and office workers – anyone who sits for long periods. It costs just $30 and is guaranteed for 12 months. Diabetes Supplies, Disability Centres, Mobility shops and pharmacies stock it.

For information about Diabetes Week activities in your local area visit www.diabetes.org.nz.

For more information about the Aircycle visit www.aircycle.co.nz or phone 04 569 5013.
 

Published 14th Nov 2011

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