Sitting more than 3 hours per day is associated with how many years of lower life expectancy?

• A. 1 year
• B. 2 years
• C. 3 years
• D. 4 years

Answer: (B)

Prolonged sitting is a form of sedentary behavior whose health impact shows up in population-level life expectancy data. When a person sits more than about three hours daily, studies have estimated an average loss of roughly two years of life compared with those who sit less. This reflects the accumulated risk from reduced metabolic activity, which affects insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and inflammation, increasing the likelihood of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and obesity. The two-year figure is an average across populations and doesn’t guarantee a specific outcome for any one person, but it highlights a meaningful association. Reducing daily sitting and breaking up long sitting periods with movement can help mitigate these risks and support longer, healthier life.