Stand up at office 'to lose fat'

Office workers trapped behind their desks all day should push away their chairs and work standing up, recommends an exercise scientist. Standing up for three hours extra a day would burn off 8lb (3.6kg) of fat each year, says John Buckley, from the University of Chester. Leading by example, Dr Buckley is using a standing desk which is believed to date from the 1940s. "There is no need to sit down so much," says Dr Buckley. Anyone feeling Christmas-pudding shaped after the holidays should consider standing rather than sitting at work, says Dr Buckley. There are custom-made computer desks for anyone wanting to stand as they answer their emails - or else old desks can be set at a height for standing.