And obesity levels are higher than ever too. Dismissing this article's message because we are living longer is missing the point. We are living longer despite our poor physical health.
Instead of assessing the problem as "sitting," maybe we should look at what scientific data says. I know food manufacturers put a hell of a lot of sugar in foods, even foods you wouldn't expect, like spaghetti sauce. They use it as a preservative, so it's in damn near everything.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z8849j6
I know watching food commercials subconsciously compels people to eat, even after the restaurants are closed. Children consume 45% more food when exposed to food commercials.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2743554/
I know certain foods, sugar in particular, have addictive properties similar to cocaine.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23719144
Sitting may very well be a factor, but this article shows no links to any studies. Until I see some data, I'll consider it BS and so should you.