Do you have the couch potato gene?

In a recent survey by All About Health, both men and women cite lethargy as one of their most unhealthy habits. When asked about the cause of having an unhealthy moment, 43 percent of women and 41 percent of men admitted it was being lazy.

Meanwhile Canadian scientists believe they have discovered why some people are prone to a lack of get-up-and-go while others aren't.

In a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team of researchers claim that laziness could be part of your genetic make-up. According to the scientists there are genes that produce an enzyme called AMP kinase, and that enzyme helps turn food into energy.

If you're one of the lucky ones, your genes help you produce large quantities of AMP kinase, which means you can get more energy from food and don't tire quickly. If you don't produce large amounts of AMP kinase, claim the researchers, you're more likely to be 'exercise intolerant' (or bone idle, if you prefer a more straightforward term).

If that sounds like a really good excuse – 'I can't walk the dog, darling, because I'm genetically predisposed to avoiding any form of exercise…' – then there's bad news. According to the researchers from McMaster University in Ontario, there is a way to get your body to produce more AMP kinase.

Guess how? By exercising, that's how.

It could explain why getting into exercise can be so hard for many people – but when you're up and running, it not only gets easier, but more enjoyable too. At least that's the theory.

And if you're still not convinced, bear in mind more recent evidence that suggests even moderate amounts of exercise can have a measurable effect on your health (that is, you don't have to run marathons to reap the health benefits of being active). 

What's your view on keeping fit? Are you a lifelong couch potato, or a fitness fanatic? We'd love to hear your comments.