Ah, yes, the toilet: The place of ultimate solitude. But have you ever thought about how much time you spend on it compared to everything else you do?
A new U.K. study found that British people spend an average 3 hours and 9 minutes every week on the toilet, while they only spend 1 hour and 30 minutes on physical activity. Not-for-profit health organization ukactive commissioned the study of 2,004 British adults in time for National Fitness Day across the pond Sept. 27.
Other findings from the study include that 64 percent of British people sit for six hours every day, which significantly raises their risk or early death, and that only 12 percent are aware of the National Health Service’s physical activity guidelines. The NHS calls for 150 minutes each week of moderate to vigorous exercise, like brisk walking or riding a bike.
Also, more than 40 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds claim Instagram has been a positive influence for them when it comes to motivation for physical activity. Instagram has also been found to increase anxiety, depression and body image issues in U.K. 14 to 24-year-olds.
There are strong benefits for people who meet the NHS’ activity guidelines. These include everything from a 40 percent lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes and a 30 percent lower risk for dementia. But the average U.K. adult moderately exercises just 90 minutes every week and 26 percent only exercise 30 minutes or less.
In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests adults get either 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week and muscle-strengthening activities two or more days each week, 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity each week and the same muscle-strengthening regimen or a mix of moderate and vigorous aerobic activity with muscle-strengthening. This mirrors NHS guidelines.
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People in the UK Spend More Time on the Toilet Than Exercising originally appeared on usnews.com
