Recent research has indicated that women who engage in sedentary leisure activities for more than six hours a day are at a significantly increased risk of developing uterine fibroids before menopause. The study points to a potential correlation between inactive lifestyles and a heightened likelihood of these benign, estrogen-dependent tumors in the uterus.
The likelihood of developing uterine fibroids appears to be directly proportional to the amount of sedentary time in premenopausal women.
The study, published in BMJ Open, suggests that women who spend six or more hours daily in sedentary leisure activities are at a twofold increased risk of developing uterine fibroids before reaching menopause.
The risk of these non-cancerous, yet often large and discomforting, tumors in the uterus seems to increase with the duration of time spent in sedentary activities such as sitting or lying down.
Incidence and Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are the most prevalent non-cancerous tumors among women of reproductive age, with a reported prevalence ranging from 4.5% to 69%, according to the study’s authors.
These tumors can be asymptomatic or can cause symptoms like abnormal bleeding, pain in the pelvic and abdominal areas, and infertility.
Sedentary behaviors are linked to tumors that are dependent on estrogen, like those found in cases of endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancers; uterine fibroids also rely on estrogen.
Methodology of the Study
The researchers aimed to explore the potential connection between extensive sedentary leisure time and the risk of developing uterine fibroids.
They utilized data from the Yunnan cohort of the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort Study, a long-term, community-based project in southwest China, involving 99,556 participants across five provinces.
The study focused on 6,623 premenopausal women aged 30 to 55.
Information gathered included menstrual and reproductive history, number of children, age at first childbirth, contraceptive use, leisure time spent sedentarily, physical activity, diet, height, and weight.
On average, the women began menstruating between ages 13-16 and had their first child between ages 20–24. Nearly 84% had more than two children.
Sedentary behavior was defined as activities involving 1.5 or fewer metabolic equivalent of task (MET) hours/day while sitting or lying down. METs are used to measure energy expenditure per hour of physical activity.
Participants reported the time spent on activities like board games, screen time, reading, knitting, and similar activities, and were categorized into four groups based on their daily sedentary leisure time: under 2 hours, 2–3.99 hours, 4–5.99 hours, and 6 or more hours.
Results and Implications
Approximately 61% of the women reported spending 2–3.99 hours/day in sedentary leisure activities.
A total of 562 women (8.5%) had uterine fibroids, with prevalence increasing with age. The highest rates (2.5 times greater) were seen in women aged 50 and older.
Factors like body mass index (BMI), number of live births, menstrual status, time since last live birth, physical activity, and sedentary leisure time were all linked to uterine fibroids.
However, the risk of uterine fibroids seemed to escalate with increased sedentary leisure time. After adjusting for various factors, women spending 6 or more hours daily in such activities faced twice the risk compared to those with less than 2 hours.
While there was no association between sedentary leisure time and fibroid prevalence in premenopausal women, a significant correlation was observed in perimenopausal women, where the risk was fivefold higher among those with 6 or more hours of sedentary leisure time compared to those with less than 2 hours.
Study Limitations and Theoretical Explanations
This observational study does not establish causation and relies on subjective assessments for many factors.
One possible explanation for the findings is the link between sedentary behavior and obesity, a known risk factor for uterine fibroids. Both these factors can increase the body’s estrogen levels.
Other potential explanations include the connections between sedentary behavior and metabolic disorders, chronic inflammation, and vitamin D deficiency.
The study concludes that “sedentary leisure time has a linear positive correlation with uterine fibroids, suggesting it may be an independent risk factor.”
Reference: “Association between leisure sedentary behaviour and uterine fibroids in non-menopausal women: a population-based study” by Yunrui Sun, Xiaoyu Han, Zhongxin Hou, Haoyuan Deng, Nan Cheng, Nishang Zhang, Jianghui Zhang, Yi Li, Qian Wang, Jianzhong Yin, and Qiong Meng,
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Uterine Fibroids Risk
What is the main finding of the recent study on uterine fibroids?
The study found that women who engage in over six hours of sedentary leisure activities daily may have double the risk of developing uterine fibroids before menopause.
How does sedentary behavior affect the risk of uterine fibroids?
Sedentary behavior, particularly more than six hours of leisurely inactivity per day, is linked to an increased risk of uterine fibroids in premenopausal women, possibly due to increased estrogen levels associated with inactivity.
What are uterine fibroids, and what symptoms can they cause?
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors in the uterus, common among women of childbearing age. They can be asymptomatic or cause abnormal bleeding, pelvic and abdominal pain, and infertility.
What was the methodology of the study on uterine fibroids and sedentary lifestyle?
The study utilized data from the Yunnan cohort of the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort Study, focusing on 6,623 premenopausal women, and examined their sedentary behavior, reproductive history, and other health factors.
What are the implications of the study’s findings?
The study suggests that prolonged sedentary leisure time, especially in premenopausal women, could be a significant risk factor for developing uterine fibroids, highlighting the importance of an active lifestyle for women’s health.
More about Uterine Fibroids Risk
- Understanding Uterine Fibroids and Lifestyle Impact
- Health Risks of Sedentary Behavior in Women
- Link Between Inactivity and Uterine Fibroids
- Study on Uterine Fibroids and Premenopausal Women
- Implications of Sedentary Lifestyle on Women’s Health
5 comments
A lot of these studies seem to contradict each other. Last week, I read something about how sitting isn’t that bad… who to believe?
wow, didn’t know sitting around could be this risky! gonna think twice before binge-watching now.
This is kinda scary, i have a desk job, does this mean im at risk too? need more info on this
interesting read, but how accurate is this study? I mean, we all sit a lot these days…
my aunt had fibroids, it’s no joke. Articles like this should be more widespread, people need to know about these risks.