Weight Loss Information

Walking while working could translate into more than 50 pounds of weight loss a year, say researchers in a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

During the past 20 years, obesity rates have increased significantly in the US; approximately 70 million adults and young people are now obese. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers.

Combining work with walking on a treadmill to help sedentary workers burn calories is one possible solution to counter the rise in obesity. Researchers created a specially designed vertical work station that allows an office worker to use the computer while walking on a treadmill at a speed of their choice. They enrolled 15 obese office workers in their 40s who did not participate in any regular exercise, and measured the amount of energy they used while at rest, sitting, while standing still, and while walking on the vertical work station. They measured the participants’ exhaled breath to measure energy expenditure but did not measure weight loss or weight gain.

The participants burned 191 kilocalories while walking compared to 72 while sitting in a chair – a difference of 119 kilocalories per hour. Based on an average of 100 kilocalories an hour, it is estimated that obese workers could lose up to 66 pounds a year if they walked while working for two to three hours per day.

The “standing desk” concept has also been tested with children, as a way to tackle childhood obesity.

However, because exercise increases appetite, employees using the device would have to guard against eating more. As well, the rate of weight loss may gradually decline over time because as a person’s body gets lighter it uses less energy. Finally, work quality and employee efficiency while walking was not assessed.