Sedentary lifestyle and faulty food habits are the major reason behind epidemic of obesity. Recent study once again shows that workers spent
70 per cent of day sitting down increasing risk of various diseases. Lack of physical activity increases risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Data collected during the study indicated that 77 per cent of the time is spent in working while sitting whereas rest 23 per cent of the time goes in low intensity exercise, such as strolling to the printer, the photocopier or the coffee shop.

Two-thirds of the study subjects claimed said that they did 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise such as a brisk walk or other activity that raised a slight sweat.

Research team used a small device called an accelerometer to measure the movement of the study subjects. Data collected showed in reality only one-third of participants actually did the 30 minutes work out a day.

It was found that moderate physical activity occupies less than 5 per cent of the time on both work and non-work days.

The recent study was sponsored by the nation's largest health insurer Medibank Private.