Professor Jonathan Shaw wants sitting for over two hours illegal to stop diabetes
The law must be changed to make it illegal for workers to sit for more than two hours at a time says a leading health expert alarmed at rising diabetes rates.
Professor Jonathan Shaw whose 12-year "AusDiab" study on the health status of 11,000 Australians calculates that 269 adults develop diabetes every day and says drastic measure are needed.
"We need changes to occupational health and safety regulations so it is not allowed for people to sit for two hours at a time without a break," he said.
Words fail me.
Professor Shaw also advocated a tax on junk food, subsidies for healthy foods, standing desks in workplaces and stairs more accessible to encourage more physical activity.
A rule banning sitting for more than two hours might not go down well with employers but they should "look on it as a long-term investment in their employees," he said.
What does one do during a break from sitting? Running? Trampolining? Swimming? Welcome to the wacky world of lifestyle fascism, where 'public health' means 'private health' and taking a break means being forced to do vigorous physical exercise.
