The Consequences of a Sedentary Lifestyle (OCR GCSE Physical Education (PE)): Revision Note

The consequences of a sedentary lifestyle

• People who do not participate in little or no physical activity live a sedentary lifestyle  

  • A person who is sedentary is inactive  

  • Our lifestyle is the way in which we choose to live 

    • This includes our choices over what to eat, how often to exercise and our employment decisions 

• A sedentary lifestyle can involve spending long periods sitting or lying down 

  • E.g. to watch TV, play video games, use a computer, to read or scroll on a mobile phone

  • Regularly using the car rather than walking a short distance or taking the lift rather than using the stairs would also be described as sedentary behaviour

• People who chose to life a sedentary lifestyle run the risk of impacting their health: 

  • Physical health:

    • Injury 

    • Coronary heart disease (CHD) 

    • Hypertension (high blood pressure) 

    • Decreased bone density 

    • Type 2 diabetes 

    • Poor posture 

    • Poor fitness 

    • Weight gain or obesity 

    • Heart disease 

  • Emotional health:

    • Low self-esteem and confidence 

    • Poor stress management 

    • Self-conscious of body image