LONDON — More than a quarter of adults believe they lead a sedentary lifestyle, with the average person sitting up to 40 hours a week, according to a recent survey. The survey of 2,000 Britons finds that 27% admit they are not as active as they should be, despite being able to do so easily.
What is behind this lifestyle? Lack of motivation (29%), tiredness (28%) and lack of time (26%) were cited as the main reasons for sedentary behavior. Being inactive for so long makes 32% of adults feel bored, another 32% feel unhealthy, and ironically, 29% say they are more tired.
The study also finds that 83 percent of adults sit for up to 12 hours a day.
The research, commissioned by Babybel cheese snacks and conducted by OnePoll, shows that two-thirds of adults would like to be more physically active than they currently are, but 35% say it is more difficult to do so as they age. When it comes to the length of an exercise routine, 61% agree they would be more likely to do it if it lasted less. Similarly, 65% would be more inclined to do something active if it was fun.
Not surprisingly, seven in 10 say they moved more as a child than they do now, and 42% of parents agree that their children help them keep moving.
Wednesday is when Britons are most active, with the average adult trying to get their blood pumping five times a week. Cleaning the house (32%), gardening (29%) and going up and down the stairs (22%) were considered the top “daily activities” that get them moving the most. Interestingly, 35% say they are more active when they are at work.
As for the top inspirational triggers for heart racing, 36% say they want better health, while 25% are simply trying to reach a personal goal. But overall, 37% consider themselves their biggest inspiration to get fit.
“It’s great to see that children are one of the factors that keep their parents active. It’s also interesting that most want exercise to be short, fun bursts rather than long workouts,” a Babybel spokesperson says in a statement. “We want to encourage families to make small adjustments to their routines during the back-to-school period to get the whole family moving.”
In an effort to get more people moving, the company is offering these 10 tips as part of its UK “active living” challenge:
1. Squats while brushing your teeth
2. The star jumps while the kettle is on
3. Clean your house with music
4. Take the stairs instead of the escalator
5. Stretch like Superman when you get out of bed
6. Get off one stop early and walk the last mile
7. Ditch the electric mixer and stir by hand
8. Skips at the end of every TV show
9. Dance with family and friends while you prepare dinner
10. Play a game of tag while the microwave is on.
Report from 72Point writer Lucy Brimble
Source: studyfinds.org