If a person has a sedentary lifestyle, it means that they do very little or no physical activity. Instead, much of their time may be spent sitting, reading, watching TV, playing video games, using a computer, etc.

A sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk of many chronic long-term diseases, such as heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, as well as weight gain and obesity. It can also lead to many other health problems, such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• High blood pressure
• Osteoporosis (brittle bones)
• Muscle atrophy (shrinking and weakening of the muscles)
• Weakened immune system.

Research shows that reducing sedentary behaviour can reduce your risk of major illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer by up to 50%. Regular physical activity can also:

• Improve self-esteem, mood, quality of sleep and energy levels
• Reduce feelings of stress and depression
• Reduce the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.