Morgantown, WV (AP) -- Couch potatoes could be costing West Virginia a lot of money.

A new study by the West Virginia University School of Medicine suggests the total cost of physical inactivity is more $1.3 billion a year.

Researchers George and Kristi Kelley estimate the value of lost worker productivity at about $1 billion, while medical care costs about $245 million.

They theorize that if 5 percent of the state's inactive adults became physically active on a regular basis, the state could save $108 million per year.

Their study is published in the May issue of the West Virginia Medical Journal.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human services recommends adults get at least 150 minutes of moderately intense physical activity per week.

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