Office Work Rivals Smoking In Causing Premature Deaths

An hour of exercise could help

Scientists say working in an office is as bad as smoking, causing more deaths than obesity. But their study in The Lancet also says an hour of exercise will offset the risks. Their research found that sitting for at least eight hours a day could increase the risk of premature death by up to 60 per cent. They urged anyone spending hours at their desk to change their daily routine to take a five-minute break every hour, as well as exercise at lunchtimes and evenings. An hour of brisk walking or cycling spread over a day was enough to combat the dangers, they said. More than a million men and woman took part in the study.

photo: Juan Pablo Olmo