Development of a body of observational and experimental evidence pointing to the clinical and population-health significance of sedentary behaviour — too much sitting as distinct from too little exercise.
Most of us know that not getting enough exercise is bad for our health. But what if sitting too much is a separate risk entirely — even for people who exercise regularly?
That's exactly what Baker Institute researchers demonstrated. Using data from the landmark AusDiab survey, they provided the first evidence that large amounts of time spent sitting has adverse impacts on markers of cardiometabolic health, and increases the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. The finding was striking: sedentary behaviour and physical inactivity are distinct risks, not interchangeable ones.
The team then looked at what could be done about it. Studies in the Baker Institute's Physical Activity laboratory showed that simply interrupting prolonged sitting — taking regular breaks to stand or move — had measurable benefits for blood glucose and insulin levels in overweight adults and in people living with type 2 diabetes. Even small interruptions to sitting time made a meaningful difference.
The impact of this research has been far-reaching. Baker Institute findings have informed Australia's Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines, and influenced position statements from both the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association. The science also helped drive the proliferation of sit-stand desks, active-working initiatives and a broader cultural shift in how businesses, government and occupational health bodies think about the working day.
