People who stand for at least one-quarter of the day are less likely to become obese, according to a recent study.

Researchers from The Cooper Institute, the University of Texas and the University of Georgia found that among men, standing a quarter of the time was linked to a 32 percent reduced likelihood of obesity (body fat percentage). Standing half the time was associated with a 59 percent reduced likelihood of obesity. But standing more than three-quarters of the time was not associated with a lower risk of obesity.

In women, standing a quarter, half, and three quarters of the time was associated with 35, 47, and 57 percent respective reductions in the likelihood of abdominal obesity (waist circumference). No relationship between standing and metabolic syndrome was found among women or men.

For the study, a research team led by Dr. Kerem Shuval, director of Physical Activity & Nutrition Research at the American Cancer Society, collected and analyzed data from more than 7,000 adults. They examined reported standing habits in relation to objectively measured obesity and metabolic risk.

Researchers also investigated whether physical activity in conjunction with standing provided additional reduction in risk. They found that among those meeting physical activity guidelines (150 minutes of moderate activity and/or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per day) the addition of standing time was associated with incremental drops in the likelihood of all obesity measures and metabolic syndrome in both women and men.

Researchers said additional prospective studies are needed to determine whether standing has protective health benefits.

The findings appear in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.