Stand-up tables at work improve health and increase life expectancy

How does the use of sit-in desks affect your health??

Researchers have now discovered that introducing so-called "sit-in" desks is a cost-effective way for employers to improve the health of their employees.

Researchers at Deakin University found in their recent study that standing-up desks in companies can improve employee health. The physicians published the results of their study in the English-language journal "Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health".

Constant sitting at work can cause serious health problems. So-called stand-up desks could improve the health and life expectancy of workers. (Image: Edler von Rabenstein / fotolia.com)

Over 230 office workers were examined for the study

More than 230 employees participated in the investigation. These should be encouraged to sit less and stand taller and move around more by introducing a sit-and-stand desk. The Australian experts concluded that implementing the recommended change would cost $ 185.2 million for approximately 20 percent of the country's office workers.

Many health problems are related to obesity

Nevertheless, 7,492 so-called health-adjusted life years would be saved in the prevention of diseases associated with obesity. If people spend too much time at their desk, it can lead to serious illnesses such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. This could be a factor in reducing life expectancy.

Stand-up tables can reduce absenteeism

This workplace intervention also has the potential to reduce absenteeism and improve productivity, said study author Dr Lan Gao of Deakin University. The introduction of sit-and-stand tables is a cost-effective and innovative way to promote the health of workers. About 45 percent of Australian workers spend most of their day at their desk, the researchers speculate.

Stand-up desks are cost effective

The study also found that the net cost of providing seating and standing desks was approximately $ 344 per person. Dr. However, Gao said that this amount could be reduced by economies of scale in wholesale orders and replacement workplaces. Ultimately, this intervention has the potential to have a very significant and sustained positive impact on reducing seated working time in the workplace, but more importantly, it is also cost effective, say the medical profession. This is crucial for a wider adoption of this program.

Sitting and lying down should often be interrupted

There is currently not enough evidence to suggest a specific length of sitting or lying that results in poorer health outcomes. Sedentary behavior is associated with poorer health outcomes, according to official advice from the National Health and Medical Research Council. It is recommended to interrupt the time spent sitting or lying as often as possible. (As)