A manifesto against sedentarism
Dr. Stefano Pallanti and Dr. Roberto Piga present the Manifesto against Sedentarism to fight the risks associated with physical inactivity, promoting healthy lifestyles and collective initiatives.
LET'S MEET! Let's invent something to do together against sedentarism!
LET'S MEET! Let's invent something to do together against sedentarism!
A sedentary lifestyle is harmful.
Because there is scientific evidence linking it to major health problems in people of all ages, from children to the elderly. Our society and current lifestyles are making us more sedentary and inactive; therefore, the primary goal of global public health is to defeat sedentarism and promote physical activity.
A sedentary lifestyle is the fourth leading risk factor for mortality worldwide* and a risk factor for hypertension, osteoporosis, obesity, cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and anxiety. It has also been linked to colon and breast cancer.
* The major risk factors measured by mortality are high blood pressure (responsible for 13 percent of deaths), smoking (9 percent), high blood sugar (6 percent), physical inactivity (6 percent), and overweight and obesity (5 percent).
A new culture is needed, as Pope Francis reminded us by inviting young people to take "life in their hands" even when others "are all on their own with their cell phones, attached to social media and video games."
Taking life in our hands means fighting the passivity implicit in the compulsive Internet, which is associated with sedentarism.
How?
Increase physical activity of all kinds and reduce consumption of caffeinated and sugary beverages, which interfere with the brain's inhibitory control functions by promoting problematic behaviors.
Measured and active use of electronic devices (not restricted, but rather regulated and proactive); Let us free up our time and brains!
Let's meet and invent something! Interaction between people reduces the "Emotional Dissociation" phenomenon and all the misunderstandings and aggressions that undermine "messaging" communication. Emotions are those you feel when you meet; you do not see them on the screen!
Institutions should invest so that they immediately reduce the costs of Learning Disability, Attention Disorders, and Eating Disorders. They can prevent many diseases, such as diabetes and dementia, that weigh enormously on the Health System:
So, let's get together and come up with something to do together. We will tell you how to succeed if you don't know how.
