Lazy life takes quick toll

JUST 14 days of a couch potato lifestyle increases the risk of serious disease, a new study suggests.

Experts found two weeks without exercise reduces muscle mass, increases body fat and raises the potential for high cholesterol. The team, from the University of Liverpool, followed 28 healthy people of a normal weight with an average age of 25.

The participants usually took 10,000 steps per day or more but, for the study, were told to reduce their activity levels by more than 80 per cent to about 1500 steps per day.

They were also told to eat their normal meals. Activity levels dropped from a daily average of 161 minutes to 36 minutes and time spent sedentary increased by an average of 129 minutes.