A recent study was conducted in which stand-biased desks were introduced in elementary classrooms in an effort to combat childhood obesity. Stand-biased desks are passive, low-risk classroom interventions that allow students to sit or stand during class time at their discretion. Approximately 500 elementary students participated in either control (seated) or stand-biased desk classrooms. Activity monitors were worn to measure children's step count and energy expenditure. Each participant was asked to wear the device for five consecutive school days, and each classroom was measured for one week in both the fall and spring semesters. Students at stand-biased desks burned 15 percent more calories during the study period than students at traditional desks, and children affected by obesity who used standing desks increased their calorie use by 25 percent. Teachers also reported that students at stand-biased desks had an increased level of engagement during lecture time. Stand-biased desks may be a potential intervention for childhood obesity that is relatively non-distracting to classroom lecture time.

The effects of consuming 0.8 versus 1.4 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight was studied for changes in weight, body composition and indices of metabolic syndrome in men affected by overweight and obesity. This 12-week intervention required men to consume 750 kilocalories per day less than their energy needs to create an energy deficit. Both diet groups lost comparable body weight and fat; however, the high-protein group lost less lean body mass than the normal-protein group while having similar improvements in metabolic syndrome markers. This study suggests that it may be advantageous for men to consume a higher-protein diet than the recommended dietary allowances when trying to lose weight to help preserve lean body mass.