Excess computer use can make you chubby

London: Excessive work on a computer, including staring at the screen for a long time, creates a craving for sweet treats like chocolate and biscuits.

The mental stress of computer work triggers changes in blood sugar and hormone levels that trick the brain into thinking it has worked off lots of calories that need to be replaced.

Watching television has the same effect, experts at the International Congress on Obesity in Stockholm said.

Office workers who want to keep trim should take regular screen breaks, and even consider typing while standing up, Jean-Philippe Chaput, a researcher from the University of Copenhagen, said.

"Working on your computer is sedentary and doing nothing increases your weight. But use of them also increases your appetite as well so there is a double whammy in effect," Chaput said.