Men are more inclined than women to spend 30 minutes in exercise daily, MyHealthNewsDaily reports.

Women spent an average of 18 minutes a day for moderate-to-vigorous exercise, while men spent 30 minutes a day for moderate-to-vigorous exercise, a new U.S. study shows.

A nationally representative sample of more than 1,000 U.S. men and women gave researchers data to work with through a survey by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2005 and 2006.

By wearing a movement-tracking device called an accelerometer around their waist for at least four days, the men and women were able to record the intensity of their normal physical activities daily.

Recorded data revealed that men moved about more while women tended to spend most of the day doing less physically intense activities.

Study researcher Bradley Cardinal, professor of social psychology of physical activity at Oregon State University, said people who could not spend a minimum of 30 minutes for physical activities daily risk developing a metabolic syndrome, which is a collection of symptoms related to cardiovascular diseases, for instance, high blood sugar and high blood pressure. They also tend to develop low levels "good" cholesterol.

Study researcher Paul Loprinzi, also from Oregon State, a number of women attributed their lack of exercise to insufficient time within the day due to taking care of babies and children.

The researchers also said that a person's childhood affects the level of physical activity later in life. Those who were more physically active as a child are likely to stay the same throughout adult life.

To avoid the ill effects of less active to sedentary lifestyle, the researchers recommended the accumulation of physical activity in brief periods throughout the day. For instance, those who want to be more active could choose taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or try walking around during phone conversations instead of sitting or standing still.

The study was published online last month in the journal Preventive Medicine.