Forget diets – fidget instead!

THEY might annoy their colleagues but office workers who fidget are also less likely to put on weight.

US scientists have found that people given an under-the-table pedal device that encourages fidgeting used up 20% more calories than those who just sat at desks. Muscle contractions in the leg burn up the extra calories, according to the study at the Mayo Clinic.

Results showed that fidgeting, standing and laughing all led to significant calorie burn, with fidgeting boosting energy expenditure to 100 calories per hour in all but one of the 26 men and women studied.