TAIPEI: A young woman might appear elegant if she sits with her legs crossed like the late Princess Diana often did, but that posture could pose a health risk, according to a medical report released yesterday in Taiwan.

Sitting with the legs crossed hampers the flow of blood in the legs and could cause problems such as blood clots, back strain, dislocation of spinal discs, and scoliosis - abnormal curvature of the spine - said the M.J. Health Management Group which wrote the report.

The report, based on a survey of 18,061 adults, also warned older people against getting out of bed too quickly in the morning, as this could cause dizziness from postural hypotension and result in falls.

The report suggests that elderly people should lie in bed for at least three minutes after they wake up and then get up slowly.

These are only two of 10 habits that could cause health problems in a modern society, according to the report.

The survey found that lack of exercise was the main problem, with two thirds of the respondents saying that they do not follow doctors' recommendations to exercise at least three times a week for 30 minutes each time, or they don't engage in the right form of exercise.

Another bad habit is reading on the toilet, which increases the risk for constipation and hemorrhoids, it warned. This could also result in strokes caused by straining during bowel movements, the report stated.

It also mentioned the habits of not drinking enough water, which could result in kidney and bladder stones; consuming food or drinks that are too hot, a habit that could cause inflammation of the digestive tract; and drinking too much tea or coffee, which could lead to osteoporosis.

The report also cautioned people against carrying heavy loads that could strain the muscles, cause dislocation of spinal discs and pains in the lower back.

Staring at a computer screen for more than three hours without a break is a habit that can damage the eyesight, it warned.

Unhealthy habits account for 50 percent of deaths, compared to environmental factors (20 percent), heredity (20 percent) and poor medicare (10 percent), the report said.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 01/26/2010 page2)