Beware: Those two weeks away can be bad for your health

A FORTNIGHT lying on a beach may seem like the perfect boost – but new research suggests two weeks of couch potato living is enough to add nearly half an inch to the waistline.

The study on healthy young adults found startling changes to muscle mass and metabolism could occur during a couple of weeks on holiday, or simply lazing around.

Scientists last night warned that the changes could trigger an increased risk of developing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and potentially premature death.

Researchers from Liverpool University examined 28 fit adults with an average age of 25. They asked them to cut activity levels by 80 per cent, from 10,000 daily steps to just 1,500. By the end of 14 days, they had lost 0.8lb (360g) of lean muscle – and saw their waistline expand by half an inch (1.3cm).

There was also an increase in liver fat and bad cholesterol markers while cardiorespiratory fitness levels also declined. The findings are being presented today at the European Congress on Obesity in Porto. Lead researcher Dr Dan Cuthbertson said: “The take-home message is two-fold. If you do formal exercise, it may not be enough and keeping active as part of your daily life is important.

“And for those who don’t exercise, avoiding prolonged sitting and increasing your daily step counts has clear health benefits. It does appear

‘It does appear that there is something in this idea of 10,000 steps a day being good for you’

that there is something in this idea of 10,000 steps a day being good for you.”

Steven Ward, the chief executive of fitness organisation ukactive, said: “Physical inactivity is society’s silent killer and even short bouts of being sedentary can lead to deadly diseases. That’s why it’s so important for us to build movement into all aspects of our lives.”