Study links standing with lower obesity

A College of Education researcher contributed to a recent study linking standing for at least six hours a day with a lower rate of obesity.

The study, published in this month's Mayo Clinic Proceedings, showed striking results for both genders. Among men, standing for a quarter of their day was linked with a 32 percent reduction in obesity; standing for half their time was linked with a 59 percent reduced likelihood of obesity while standing for three-quarters of the time didn't appear to be associated with reduced obesity. While among women, standing a quarter, half and three-quarters of the day was associated with 35 percent, 47 percent and 57 percent, respectively, in reductions of obesity.

Michael Schmidt, associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology, was among the co-authors of the study. The project also included researchers at the Cooper Institute and the University of Texas School of Public Health.

The study's findings have received wide media attention, including stories in the Hindustan Times, the Huffington Post and the International Business Times (India Edition).