Yes, you burn calories while sitting.
While it's less than standing or being active, your body still requires energy to perform basic functions even when you're sedentary. This is due to your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), which is the amount of energy your body uses at rest to keep essential functions like breathing, circulation, and brain activity running.
Here's a breakdown:
-
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): This is the primary contributor to calorie burn while sitting. Even at rest, your body needs energy to maintain its vital functions.
-
Calorie Burn Examples: One study showed that individuals burned an average of 80 calories per hour while sitting. In comparison, standing burned slightly more at 88 calories per hour, and walking significantly more at 210 calories per hour.
-
Factors Affecting Calorie Burn: The number of calories you burn while sitting can vary depending on factors such as:
- Weight: Heavier individuals typically burn more calories.
- Age: BMR generally decreases with age.
- Gender: Men generally have a higher BMR than women.
- Muscle Mass: More muscle mass increases BMR.
- Genetics: Genetic factors also play a role in determining BMR.
-
Sitting vs. Standing vs. Walking (Calories burned per hour example):
Activity Calories Burned (approximate) Sitting 80 Standing 88 Walking 210
While sitting burns calories, it's significantly less than more active pursuits. It's still important to incorporate movement into your daily routine for overall health and increased calorie expenditure.
