Despite decades of ‘Life. Be in It’ we’re still a nation of couch potatoes.
Your Back Page scribbler loves a fresh “first world problem”.
Because no matter how minor or trivial the inconveniences or frustrations suffered by those lucky enough to be living in a wealthy and developed nation, there are always plenty of enterprising folks happy to peddle remedies for these self-inflicted maladies – for the right price, of course.
The latest such phenomenon to lob into our long-suffering inbox is the delightfully named: Netflix Bum.
This affliction is primarily brought about by the modern-day curse of sitting too much – be it in front of a computer screen for work (guilty) and/or leisure, or on the couch in front of a bigger screen binge-watching an entire series of Bridgerton in a single session (not guilty).
Apart from such activity (or lack of it, to be accurate) numbing the mind and weakening the gluteal muscles, the botty boffins tell us that too many hours of tushy torpor can put us at risk of a number of chronic diseases.
“Prolonged sitting is associated with a wide range of health risks, including musculoskeletal problems, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and even some cancers,” physical activity researcher Professor Corneel Vandelanotte said via a media release.
“It can also negatively impact mental health and increase the risk of premature death.”
Apparently, we have the have covid pandemic to blame for at least some of the upsurge in Netflix Bum due to the lockdowns giving folks even more excuses to deposit the derriere on the divan and press play on the remote.
According to Professor Vandelanotte, the average Australian adult now spends more than six hours each day stuck in front of a screen of some description.
But, luckily, the government is here to help with new 24-hour movement guidelines for adults set to be released later this year. These guidelines will recommend “a good balance between time spent sitting, being active and sleeping and will complement the ones that are already out there aimed at increasing healthy activity among children and teens.
And your BP correspondent is keen to do his bit to help. So in the spirit of promoting better public health we would like to suggest, free of charge, the perfect tagline for combatting the rise of Netflix Bum.
How about: “Get Off Your Arse, Australia!”
Send story tips from your stand-up desk to holly@medicalrepublic.com.au.
