An Australian study found that using standing desks is healthy for employees and employers alike.
More than 230 staff members participated in the research conducted by the Deakin University, Australia, where employees were asked to work standing, move more, and sit less, according to The Telegraph.
The study, published on Monday, suggested that the proposed changes, if applied to 20% of employees nationwide, could cost $185.2 million. But the new change will provide 7,492 years of adjusted health free of obesity-related diseases, reported the Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment and Health, according to a research by the National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia.
Lead author Lan Gao, professor at the Deakin University said that excessive sitting in workplace is associated with serious health issues like obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and shorter life expectancy.
“Adopting this workplace adjustment also has the potential to reduce absenteeism and improve productivity. The introduction of sit-stand desks is a cost-effective and innovative way to promote the health of Australia’s workforce, as more than 45% of employees in the country spend long hours sitting on their desks,” she added.
The study found the net cost of providing workers with sit-stand desks was about at $344 per person, but Dr. Gao said this could be reduced by economies of scale with bulk orders and sharing workstations. This change will certainly contribute to reducing staff hours in offices and the result will be obvious when the idea is widely applied, according to Gao.
Official advice from the National Health and Medical Research council says sedentary behavior is associated with poorer health outcome.
“There is currently not enough evidence to make a recommendation on the specific duration of sitting or lying down that is associated with poorer health outcomes. However, it is recommended to break up time spent sitting or lying down, as often as possible,” she noted.
The health problems caused by prolonged sitting cannot be treated with exercise, the study warned.
In the same context, researchers at Exeter University and University College London found that a study conducted over 5,000 volunteers over the past 16 years showed that sitting was not a health hazard as long as a person practiced regular exercise. "Any situation that consumes less energy is a health hazard, whether it's sitting or standing," said Professor Melvyn Hillsdon professor of sport and health sciences at Exeter University.
"The results raise questions about the usefulness of desks designed for stand-up positions that many employees have already brought to improve the working environment their institutions."
