Is housework making you fat? It's sure not helping much
Your broom can't beat
your bike. People who rely on housework to burn fat are heavier than those who
get their exercise elsewhere -- like walking or cycling, says a new study from
northern Ireland.
Researchers surveyed
nearly 5,000 people and found that domestic physical activity accounted for
more than 35 percent of moderate intensity exercise. And the more time people
spent doing housework, the more their weight went up.
How come? The
researchers speculate that heavier people may perceive their around-the-house
duties to be more intense. Chores often tax smaller muscle groups, which causes
more perceived exertion with less of a boost to your metabolism. In other
words, if your shoulder muscles are sore after vacuuming, you might feel like
you got a better workout than you really did.
Chores certainly have
their health benefits. A 2012 study found that just 2.5 hours of housework a
week -- like mowing the lawn, carrying the groceries, and painting -- can
reduce inflammation in your body. But you shouldn't bank on busy work to
deliver the exercise you need.
Your broom can't beat
your bike. People who rely on housework to burn fat are heavier than those who
get their exercise elsewhere -- like walking or cycling, says a new study from
northern Ireland.
