Desk Jobs Increase Risk Of Obesity

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The more time men spend sitting at a desk, the greater the risk of being overweight or obese. I know this makes sense but there have actually been measurements.

If you sit behind a desk six hours a day, you have almost doubled the risk of obesity when you compare it to someone who spends only 45 minutes a day behind a desk.

As you know, we should be exercising as much as possible. But the lesson is clear. If you have a desk job, you need to get out and exercise when you're not at work. You have to take the time to do it. If not, it will catch up with you. You'll get inflexible and you'll gain weight.

I cannot over emphasize the importance of flexibility in this report. Exercise is crucial but only part of the overall plan.