Squatting toilets may become a problem

A Brisbane study aimed at discovering the perfect way to pee has stumbled on a greater problem - Westerners can't squat.

A world-first study, which compared the Western loo with a seat to the developing-world squat type found volunteers were falling off the toilets because they couldn't hold a squat position for more than 30 seconds.

"We were quite sure squatting would be far superior to the Western toilet position. However, we have a problem now ... one third of the population is unable to squat," said Professor Ajay Rane of James Cook University.

He has spent years studying the perfect pee to help one million Australians - including 300,000 men - who have weak bladders.