Brits spend over 14 hours a day sitting down

LONDON - If a new study is to be believed, then the average Briton spends an average of 14 hours and 39 minutes sitting down every day.

Commuting to work, a day at the office and then an evening in front of the television take up most of an average Briton’s time, during which he sits - which means that they hardly spend any time standing.

Four hours and 17 minutes at their desk, a further two hours and 27 minutes parked in front of the TV, another two hours and 25 minutes to use a laptop or home computer, and exercises just twice a week for 25 minutes a time leaves no time for a Brit to stand on his feet.

Meal times mean people sit down for a further 33 minutes, while 54 minutes are dedicated to playing computer games.

Finally, before settling down to sleep at night, most people spend an hour and 10 minutes reading books or magazines.

The average Brit spends an hour and 41 minutes driving car each day and another 52 minutes on public transport.

“In a recession we have to work harder and for longer hours to make ends meet,” The Telegraph quoted Zoe Hellman, Company Dietician for Weight Watchers UK Ltd, as saying.

“So we therefore have less time and money to spend on exercise - but to spend over half our day sitting down is a health bomb waiting to happen.

“Incredibly, the average person only does 50 minutes of exercise each week - that’s just a quarter of what is recommended for a healthy lifestyle.

“We know that it can seem difficult to find the time to exercise, but there are ways to introduce it into even the busiest lifestyles.

“Walking up the stairs instead of taking the lift, parking further from the shops, walking for 30 minutes at lunchtime instead of sitting at the desk are all free and easy ways of keeping fit,” Hellman added.

Hellman’s company conducted the poll of 3,000 people in conjunction with the launch of its get active campaign.

Several blamed long working hours, lack of time and energy, laziness, amount of housework and children for not being able to exercise.

Zoe Hellman added, “Half an hour’s exercise each evening would actually help workers to wind down and de-stress, and could even induce a good night’s sleep afterwards.

“Mostly, this lack of exercise and movement is down to habit. People become so used to relaxing in front of the TV at the end of a busy day they choose that over a short jog or gym session.

“But exercise also has an important role in helping people to lose weight and for keeping your weight in check, in addition to the long term health benefits of being active.”

And when it comes to keeping fit - men are more likely to exercise to get fit and maintain good health, whereas women are most concerned about losing weight. (ANI)