Study: Lose Inches Off Your Waistline Just by Walking - East Idaho News
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Study: Lose Inches Off Your Waistline Just by Walking

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getty 080415 walkingexercise?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1438687190914iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — If new research is true, losing inches from your waistline could be as easy as standing up.

According to a study published in European Heart Journal, those who spent two hours walking rather than sitting had waistlines that were three inches smaller on average. The study also found that those who spent less time sitting and more time walking were healthier and had a lower risk of heart disease.

Researchers put activity monitors on 782 men and women for seven days, tracking how long each person laid down, sat, stood or walked. They also tracked the participants’ height, weight, blood pressure, waist size and even took note of their sugar, fat and cholesterol levels.

The data revealed that most people spent nine hours, on average, sitting down, which is 60 percent of the time that they’re awake. Still, those who stood more versus sitting had, on average, lower levels of sugar, fat and cholesterol in the blood, had a healthier BMI and a thinner waistline.

“We found that time spent standing rather than sitting was significantly associated with lower levels of blood sugar and blood fats,” researcher Dr. Genevieve Healy, of Queensland University, said.

She added, “However, it is important to say that not all sitting is bad — but if people can incorporate alternatives to sitting wherever possible, it may benefit their heart and metabolic health. Our message is to ‘Stand Up, Sit Less, Move More.'”

Researchers suggest that those who work in an office should walk around more during office hours and use stand-up desks rather than sitting for hours at work stations.

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