This paper provides an interesting perspective on the role of physical inactivity in the etiology of obesity and related metabolic complications that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In addition to the reduction in vigorous physical activity, the authors discuss the importance of also paying attention to the countless hours that we spend sitting with muscles idle rather than being moderately physically active, as was the case in order to meet the substantial energy demands of a typical working day a century ago. The authors succinctly address how technological advances have made our days extremely sedentary and review the evidence that such sedentary behaviours, sitting in particular, increases the risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and CVD. Accordingly, the authors suggest that we should expand the study of exercise physiology to include “inactivity physiology.” In addition to highlighting the well documented benefits of vigorous physical activity/exercise, this paper also stresses the importance of taking into account the harmful health consequences of too much sitting and focusing on nonexercise physical activities throughout the day to fight obesity and cardiometabolic consequences.
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