If you work a desk job, then the results of a new study may be hard to hear.
Researchers in Dallas found even more evidence that too much sitting is bad for your health.
Doctors at The Cooper Institute in Dallas surveyed about 5,000 men and women on how much time they spend sitting and measured the size of their waistlines and percentage of body fat.
They found middle-aged men were more likely to be obese.
"We found that men who sat a large part of the day were more likely to be obese by any measure, not just BMI, but their waist and their percentage of fat," said Dr. Carolyn Barlow, Senior Epidemiologist at The Cooper Institute.
The Centers for Disease Control published the study, in which many of the male participants said they spend three-fourths of their workday sitting in a chair.
Barlow, however, says the exact reasons for their higher measurements aren't known.
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"We've really engineered physical activity out of our days, with all the technology and just our jobs, everything. We have really done ourselves a disservice," added Barlow.
Another surprising result?
Barlow's team didn't find any association with hours sitting and obesity in women, which may mean women are more active.
Mario Castro, a resident of Frisco who works from home, read the results of the study and isn't surprised.
He falls in the category of "middle-aged male" and says exercise during the work day takes discipline.
"You're there sitting in front of your computer and that's where all of your work activities are," said Castro.
Researchers say the remedy for inactivity is simple: get up and move.
Castro says he takes time to walk on the treadmill or take a brisk walk outside.
"I think that I just need to stay focused and make sure that I am exercising," Castro said.
Participants in the study were primarily white, generally healthy and well-educated, so Barlow says it's hard to apply their results to a more diverse population.
More studies are needed to see why women fared better than men.
