Sitting for long periods of time takes a toll on your leg muscles. Experts say it can seriously affect your legs, hips, and even your back, causing extreme pain and discomfort. Sitting reduces your hip flexors, and your sitting position can also injure your back.

Especially if you sit in a bad posture or don't use the right chair, bones can weaken and cause fractures. According to studies, poor posture can compress the plates in your spine and lead to premature degeneration, which can cause great pain.

Cancer

Many studies suggest that prolonged sitting increases the chances of developing certain types of cancer. Experts warn that lung cancer, ovarian cancer and colon cancer are more likely to occur.

Heart problems

Sitting for long periods of time not only hurts your external body structure but also has a major impact on the functioning of organs like your heart. The study found that men who watched more than 23 hours of television per week had a 64 percent higher risk of dying from heart disease than men who watched 11 hours. According to experts, people who sit too much have a 147 percent higher risk of heart attack or stroke.

Neurological problems

You may experience blood and fluid accumulation in your legs when you feel tired, swollen, and painful. In worst cases, you can develop a deep vein problem when a blood clot forms in a deep leg vein, which can be fatal. As well, women who are pregnant or on contraception, the elderly and smokers are at higher risk, doctors say, as being inactive can lead to more blood clots.

Diabetics

According to a study, people who sit for long periods of time are 112 percent more likely to develop diabetes. Inactivity increases insulin resistance in your body, therefore, sitting for long periods of time and taking two-minute walks every 20 minutes can help regulate glucose levels and insulin response, thus contributing to overall health improvement.

Experts say standing burns 30 percent more calories than sitting. While this may not be a big deal, it certainly helps improve health over time and contributes to weight control.