It’s already well-known that a sedentary lifestyle can make one heavier, but new research indicates the simple act of sitting too much can actually generate more fat in the hips and posterior.

A study from Israel’s Tel Aviv University found the pressure placed on specific areas can cause the fat cells within them to stretch and produce nearly 50 percent more liquid fat than regular fat cells.

Even those who regularly exercise are not immune if they sit too much when they aren’t on the treadmill, but it’s worse for those who never exercise at all.

“These findings indicate that we need to take our cells’ mechanical environment into account as well as pay attention to calories consumed and burned,” said Amit Gefen, one of the Tel Aviv researchers.

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