...or maybe not. Turns out that people with higher metabolisms may well just fidget more. There have been a few studies related to this phenomena. One where a skinny person and an obese person did similar tasks and it appears that the obese person is far more economical in their movement, so while "doing" the exact same thing they are, in fact, burning less calories in doing it.
Isn't that cool? We are economical, but sometimes saving calories isn't want we want to do.
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Another study shows that lean subjects, when fed excess calories, tend to fidget more. There aren't any conclusive studies but it is starting to look like our hyperactive brethren may have found the way to staying in shape...fidget, adjust, tic, resposition, ad nauseum.
I have actually starting trying this a bit. I sing in the car, complete with choreography. Sure, other people might think I am crazy, but who cares, ain't none of their beeswax.
I have started doing stretches at my desk and forcing myself to get up every hour at a minimum, even if it is to walk about and snoop on my employees.
ROCHESTER, Minn. — Wiggle, walk, tap your toes, shop, dance, clean your basement, play the guitar to boost your NEAT — or if you're a scientist, your "non-exercise activity thermogenesis." Mayo Clinic researchers report in the journal Science that NEAT — more powerful than formal exercise — determines who is lean, and who is obese. Obese persons sit, on average, 150 minutes more each day than their naturally lean counterparts. This means obese people burn 350 fewer calories a day than do lean people.
Fidgeting
Nutritional Labels
I found this today on my site and thought y'all might find it interesting, so I added it at the last minute:
The FDA has a problem. No, really, they want your help. There has been a sharp decline in the number of people reading food labels, and they want you to tell them why.
In 1990, the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) made labeling mandatory for most foods. That's when the FDA started to study the label reading habits of Americans. Their studies show that we are headed in the wrong direction. In 1994, 13 percent of consumers had never read a food label, but by 2002, the never-readers increased to 19 percent; however, for consumers younger than age 35, 30 percent have never read a food label – not ever!
Seems that they are going to be doing a study to find out why people aren't reading the labels:
Ignoring Food Labels