A new study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research finds that people who spend more time on the computer have a higher risk of obesity, even among those exercising “enough” during the week. Three categories of internet time were set: none, low (less than 3 hours per week), and high (more than 3 hours per week). People falling in the highest levels of computer use (more than 3 hours per week) were 1.5x more likely to be overweight and 2.5x more likely to be obese when compared to people who don’t use the computer at all [1].
Advice? Aim for 250.
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends people spend 150 minutes per week exercising and 250 minutes per week if they want to lose weight [1].
Really? 3 hours a week is a lot? No wonder I want to lose weight! 😉
And for us dog lovers, some wonderful news!
The average dog owner gets more exercise walking their pets than someone with a gym membership. The average dog owner exercises their pet 2x a day for 24 minutes each time – 5 hours and 38 minutes a week. In addition, the average dog owner takes their pet on three long walks a week, adding on another 2 hours and 33 minutes of activity [2].
Those without dogs spend a mere 80 minutes per week at the gym or heading out for a jog. However, 47% of non-pet owners admit they do absolutely NO exercise [2].
And who’s happier? A whopping 86% of dog owners reported enjoying the time they spend walking their dogs while a mere 16% reported enjoying their time spent at the gym [2].
I almost wish I owned a more athletic breed of dog. Lily is athletic for a bulldog, but that isn’t saying much…
And last night (after boot camp, no less!) I met a fellow bloggie for a beer (go check her out, her blog is pretty awesome!). And we have a freakish amount in common…
– both named “Nicole”
– she is from Tulsa, I am living in Tulsa
– both RD’s!
– both have important people in our life named “Rob/Robbie”
– both 24
Crazy, huh?! It was great to talk and network with another RD! Thanks for meeting with me, Nicole!! Safe travels back to Cali!
Questions:
Have you ever met a “blog friend” IRL (in real life)? Maybe at FNCE or somewhere similar?
If you are a pet owner, how many times a week would you say you walk your dog?
How many hours a week, realistically, do you spend online blogging/Facebooking/emailing friends, etc. (non-work related, basically)?
I would have to say I spend at least 9 hours a week online/blogging/emailing/Facebooking in a week — most of which takes place on the weekends. Eek!
And we walk Lily about 5 times a week for 20 minutes a pop…failing on that one, too!
[1]. Main, Emily. Overweight? Blam
e the Internet. MSNBC. November 29, 2009.
e the Internet. MSNBC. November 29, 2009.
[2]. Average dog owner ‘gets more exercise than gym-goers’. Telegraph. November 27, 2009.
