Does pollution make people lazier?

UF Health Podcasts

The dangers of air pollution are all too familiar. It heightens the risk of respiratory infection, heart disease and, of course, lung cancer. Long-term exposure can damage other organs, including the brain.

If that weren’t bad enough, British researchers have found that pollution might make us lazier.

They found a proportional association between the concentration of pollution and the time people spent being inactive, or sedentary. That’s the time when we’re lazing around on our duffs.

It’s relaxing to sit around and do nothing. And there’s nothing wrong with lazy time. Doing so for too long, however, causes health problems, increasing the risk of diseases like diabetes and hypertension. It shortens life.

Researchers followed more than 600 people at risk of Type 2 diabetes for three years, using wearable technology to track their activity during the study.

Scientists then compared that information with pollution data.

A correlation was noted between heavier pollution and sedentary time.

High levels of nitrogen dioxide, typically caused by traffic, were associated with an extra 22 minutes a day of inactivity. That adds up.

The researchers say pollution might be making people less willing to go outdoors to exercise. Worse, it might make exercise less enjoyable.

Sure, we can exercise in our homes, but television, with its many streaming services, is oh-so tempting. So, go to the gym. Buy a treadmill or stationary bike. Cut the TV cord. Find a place to exercise away from city congestion.

Breathe life into your muscles.