Working from home could shorten lives

Working from home could shorten the lives of millions of people by depriving them of the daily exercise they once enjoyed due to commutes and daily routines, England’s chief medical officer has warned.

Professor Sir Chris Whitty said increasingly sedentary lifestyles were putting long-term health at risk as new evidence showed that even a short daily walk could significantly reduce the chance of premature death.

The warning came as the UK’s four chief medical officers published updated physical activity guidelines highlighting the dangers of prolonged sitting, even among people getting the recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise.

Professor Whitty said: “Hybrid working means that many people can easily do very little… previously people would routinely go to work, which often meant at least some physical activity.

“Obviously, online shopping is another example where people who used to go to stores can actually stay put.”

He warned that these modern habits were “accelerating or perpetuating” the long-term decline in daily movements.

The updated guidance identifies physical activity as a health intervention so powerful that it rivals medication.

“If physical activity were a medicine,” he says, “we would call it a miracle cure because of the many diseases it can prevent or treat.”

Professor Whitty pointed out that a study covering 30 million people showed that just 11 minutes of moderate activity a day, such as brisk walking, was linked to a 23 per cent lower risk of premature death.

He urged people to remember that “any activity is better than no activity, and more is even better.”

The guidance also raises concerns about the increasing use of weight loss shots and pills, warning that users should include strength training in their weekly routine to avoid losing muscle mass and becoming weak in later life.

Instead of relying solely on gym workouts, experts recommend moving naturally throughout the day with walks to the shops, gardening, dancing and housework.