Inactivity may be a bigger threat to women’s health than to men’s, according to controversial new findings.
The difference occurs among people, such as some office workers, who spend long periods seated every day, according to researchers at Leicester University.
Researcher Dr Thomas Yates says it may not be enough for a woman to undertake 30 minutes of exercise a day – as is currently advised.
The researchers say the problem may not be down to differences between male and female metabolism. It could also reflect differences in lifestyle.
One explanation might be that female office workers snack more than men – or that men are more active when they take a break.
The conclusions come from a study of more than 500 people aged 40 or over.
Writing in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the researchers say they looked for indicators of risk of diabetes, such as levels of insulin.
Dr Yates said: “If these results are replicated, they have implications for lifestyle recommendations, public health policy, and health behaviour change interventions, as they suggest that enabling women to spend less time sitting is an important factor in preventing chronic disease.”
American Journal of Preventive Medicine January 2012; 42:1, pp1-7
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