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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Modern society has changed in a way that many adults spend most of their day sitting ̶ which can be hazardous to health. The health benefits of exercise are undisputed and widely recommended, whereas the importance of reducing sitting time receives much less attention. Researchers at the Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool in the UK, aimed to understand the importance of different levels of physical activity and sitting time. Ninety-eight middle-aged adults were asked to wear activity monitors during their normal daily routine and were invited to undertake a series of health measures. The results showed that greater sitting time was associated with worsened health including bigger waist circumference, higher blood pressure and cholesterol and greater amounts of liver fat, ultimately imposing an increased disease risk. On the other hand, exercise duration did not have a clear effect. The people in this study were generally active, which highlights the importance of limiting sitting time and demonstrates how an active lifestyle does not eliminate the harmful effects. Recommendations for sedentary time are needed in addition to, and not a substitute for, a physically active lifestyle.