Sitting Is Lethal, But Standing Ain't So Hot, Either

We've just had yet another study—after this one and this one—warn that sitting a lot will send us to an early grave, and Slate explains that there's "a growing body of evidence" to back up the argument. Some of it has to do with a beneficial molecule called lipoprotein lipase, which dictates how fats get processed. Sit down, and a host of muscle groups that produce the molecule shut down.

But if the alternative is standing all day, that brings increased health risks of its own, notes Slate. Longtime stand-ers are more prone to varicose veins, the narrowing of arteries in the neck, and carpal tunnel, among other things. And then there's all that wear on the ankles and knees. Possible compromise? Sit, but get up and move around every 20 minutes or so. Read the full Explainer column here. (More sitting stories.)