【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. suspect / səˈspɛkt / (v.) – to lean towards a certain possibility
Example: The doctor suspects that his patient needs more exercise.
2. assume / əˈsum / (v.) – to think that something is true even without proof
Example: She assumed that sitting too long would not hurt her back.
3. vigorous / ˈvɪg ər əs / (adj.) – referring to something that is done with a lot of energy
Example: Albert went to the gym for some vigorous exercise after work.
4. prolonged / prəˈlɑːŋd / (adj.) – referring to an extended period of time
Example: His prolonged sitting worsened his back pain.
5. sedentary / ˈsɛd nˌtɛr I / (adj.) – referring to something that requires minimal physical activity
Example: People with a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to be obese.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
Office workers may be at risk for kidney problems, study finds.
Researchers from the University of Utah School of Medicine suspect that sitting at a desk all day long with no physical activity can be a factor in developing kidney diseases and may even worsen them. The study involved 5,873 adults who have different health backgrounds.
Researchers assumed that on average, a person is awake for 16 hours a day. They found that for every additional 80 minutes that a person is seated, that person increases his or her risk of developing a chronic kidney disease by 20%.
Furthermore, the study also revealed that adding moderate or vigorous physical activity does not decrease the person’s likelihood of getting chronic kidney disease. Rather, the risk is increased due to the prolonged period that the person is sitting down.
However, author of the study, Doctor Srini Beddhu, says that while sedentary behavior can be linked to developing chronic kidney disease, there is still not enough findings on whether sitting down specifically increases one’s risk or if it even makes it worse. Thus, more studies relating to sedentary behavior and chronic kidney disease should be made.
Aside from kidney diseases, another study found that a sedentary lifestyle may also cause lower back problems. This has become one of the top causes of employment disability. However, lower back pain can be treated through medication, bed rest, physical therapy, and surgery. It can also be prevented by regular exercise.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· Will this article change the way you go about your day? Why or why not?
· What are some ways to prevent kidney diseases?
Discussion B
· What do you think companies can do to help employees avoid this kind of health problem?
· What do you think you should do to avoid developing this kind of disease?
