Sitting Calories
It’s a common misconception that sitting doesn’t burn calories. In reality, our bodies are continuously expending energy, even when at rest. This article delves into the concept of “sitting calories,” explaining how many calories you burn while sitting, and what factors influence this expenditure.
Understanding Sitting Calories
Every activity we engage in, including sitting, involves burning calories. While the calorie expenditure of sitting is significantly lower compared to physical exercises, it is not negligible. The primary factors influencing the number of calories burned while sitting include a person’s weight and the duration of time they spend sitting.
Factors Affecting Sitting Calories
The two main factors that determine how many calories you burn while sitting are:
- Body Weight: People with higher body weights burn more calories doing any activity, including sitting, because their bodies require more energy to maintain basic functions.
- Time Spent Sitting: The longer you sit, the more calories you burn in total, though at a low rate. This makes it essential to account for both the duration and your basal metabolic rate when calculating calories burned.
Calculating Sitting Calories
To estimate how many calories you burn while sitting, you can use the following formula:
Calories Burned = (BMR/24) / 60) * Minutes Spent Sitting
BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) is an estimate of how many calories you would burn if you were to rest for 24 hours. This number is then adjusted for the time spent sitting. Below, you will find a calculator to help estimate this figure based on your specific weight and duration of sitting.
