Do you sit in front of a computer all day at work? According to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, long periods of inactivity are now being linked to serious health conditions, even in people who regularly exercise.

The study, conducted in Australia, showed that a sedentary lifestyle – described as sitting for prolonged periods of time during waking hours, such as desk work, long-distance drives or extended leisure time – could have serious health effects, particularly in women. These adverse effects include a higher propensity for breast cancer, weight gain and metabolic syndrome, which could lead to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.