Northern Michigan's News LeaderHealthy Living: Desk By Desk

Work may be hazardous to your health. New research shows sitting at your desk all day could be killing you. And if you think you're covered because you hit the gym, think again. Sitting for hours at a time can reverse those benefits. Robyn Haines has your Healthy Living.

At Skanska, an international project development and construction company, they begin the day with bending and stretching. That's because new research shows people who sit at their desk all day are at an increased risk for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, even an early death. One study from the American Cancer Society showed people who sat more than 6 hours a day were at least 18 percent more likely to die than those who sat less than three hours a day. That's why Dr. Michael Roizen is taking steps to combat the problem with a treadmill desk at work.

If that's not an option, here are some tips to keep your desk from killing you. First get moving, don't send emails when you can deliver the message, stand up when you take a phone call and when you take a break, get outside and take a walk. Other things to watch out for? Your eyes. Sometimes people focus so intently, they forget to blink. To beat the strain that can lead to headaches and blurred vision... take 'blink' breaks, to give your eyes a rest.

A new study of how Americans work shows that as we have made the move to desk jobs we have become less active, leading to obesity and other health issues. The study found that 80 percent of jobs are classified as sedentary, compared to 50 percent in 1960. Experts say taking mini breaks every 30 minutes is the best way to keep your blood flowing and reduce your risk of disease.