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SALT LAKE CITY — Given America’s record obesity rate, it can be easy to blame lack of willpower or laziness on this epidemic. If you look at the numbers, though, Americans work more hours than many other people in the world. However, the sedentary nature of most of these jobs may be a contributing factor to the expansion of the nation’s waistline.
Since 1960, the percentage of moderate activity jobs has decreased from 50 percent to 20 percent. In that same time frame, the obesity rate has risen from 13.4 percent to 35.7 percent, according to the National Institutes of Health. The journal PLOS ONE released a study in 2011 linking this decline in workplace activity to increased obesity.
Using data from the Compendium of Physical Activity, HealthGrove found the occupations that burn the fewest calories. For the 15 least calorie-burning occupations, the range of calories burned per hour for American males and females between the 25 and 75 weight percentiles as specified by the CDC is listed.
Note: The HealthGrove data team removed a small number of rare or obscure occupations from the raw dataset for the purposes of this article. You can find the full dataset in the Compendium of Physical Activity, as referenced above.
15. Operating a Forklift or Crane (sitting, moderate)
**Female Caloric Burn:** 160 - 225 calories per hour **Male Caloric Burn:** 195 - 260 calories per hourTie
12. Postal Carrier Work (walking to deliver mail)
**Female Caloric Burn:** 145 - 205 calories per hour **Male Caloric Burn:** 180 - 240 calories per hourTie
12. Custodial Work (cleaning sinks or toilets, light)
**Female Caloric Burn:** 145 - 205 calories per hour **Male Caloric Burn:** 180 - 240 calories per hourTie
12. Bookbinding
**Female Caloric Burn:** 145 - 205 calories per hour **Male Caloric Burn:** 180 - 240 calories per hourTie
7. Truck Driving
**Female Caloric Burn:** 130 - 180 calories per hour **Male Caloric Burn:** 155 - 210 calories per hourTie
7. Farming (cleaning animal sheds, preparing animal feed, light)
**Female Caloric Burn:** 130 - 180 calories per hour **Male Caloric Burn:** 155 - 210 calories per hourTie
7. Bakery Work (light)
**Female Caloric Burn:** 130 - 180 calories per hour **Male Caloric Burn:** 155 - 210 calories per hourTie
7. Shoe Repair Work
**Female Caloric Burn:** 130 - 180 calories per hour **Male Caloric Burn:** 155 - 210 calories per hourTie
7. Printing (paper industry work, sitting)
**Female Caloric Burn:** 130 - 180 calories per hour **Male Caloric Burn:** 155 - 210 calories per hourTie
3. Property Manager Work
**Female Caloric Burn:** 115 - 160 calories per hour **Male Caloric Burn:** 140 - 185 calories per hourTie
3. Hairstylist
**Female Caloric Burn:** 115 - 160 calories per hour **Male Caloric Burn:** 140 - 185 calories per hourTie
3. Engineer Work (mechanical or electrical)
**Female Caloric Burn:** 115 - 160 calories per hour **Male Caloric Burn:** 140 - 185 calories per hourTie
3. Tailoring (hand-sewing)
**Female Caloric Burn:** 115 - 160 calories per hour **Male Caloric Burn:** 140 - 185 calories per hourTie
