And it is physically easier for women to cross their legs than men, who don’t have the same range of movement in their hips. Politeness aside, crossing our legs has a mechanical function.

There’s a common belief that crossing your legs can lead to varicose veins: the enlarged, blue or purple veins that often develop just below the skin in our legs. Varicose veins are caused by ...

Crossing legs during flights increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), warns Dr. Neena Chandrasekaran. The cramped seating and prolonged immobility can restrict blood flow, leading to clot ...