Every extra two hours spent sitting each day was linked with a 10 per cent increased chance of developing cancer of the bowel. Photo: Fairfax
London: A couch potato lifestyle is linked to a significantly greater risk of certain cancers as well as heart disease and diabetes, research has shown.
Every extra two hours spent sitting each day was associated with a 10 per cent increased chance of developing cancer of the womb lining in women, while bowel and lung cancer risk was raised by eight per cent and six per cent respectively.
The effect appeared to be unrelated to how much exercise people took when not sitting.
This suggests that even in people who are generally physically active, sitting down for too long can increase cancer risk.