Is the Internet Expanding Your Waistline?

Posted on November 30, 2009 in Technology

Studies have already proven that the more sedentary you are, the more likely you are to be overweight. But new research is showing that people who spend more time in front of their computers are at risk for obesity, even if they think they get enough exercise per week.

Researchers surveyed 2,650 Australian adults and quizzed them on their levels of physical activity, Internet use and sedentary activities like watching television or talking on the phone. People with the highest levels of computer use were 1.5 times more likely to be overweight and 2.5 times more likely to be obese than people who didn’t use a computer at all.

More surprisingly, adults who spent more time at the computer and still had high levels of physical activity were 1.86 times more likely to be overweight than people who spent no time in front of a computer.

The researchers speculated that people who were frequently on the computer yet reported high levels of physical activity were more likely to be sedentary while not exercising. In other words, someone might squeeze in a 30-minute workout and sit at home for several hours. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, try to distribute physical activity—like chatting and walking—throughout the day.