Woman sitting at desk late at night One alarming survey finding: 28 percent of the respondents who have a chronic disease are between the ages of 18 and 29. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Smoking, eating too many unhealthy foods, drinking excessive alcohol and sitting all day is leaving many U.S. workers at risk for developing a chronic disease, according to a survey commissioned by Workplace Options, a well-being support provider.

Indeed, a quarter of the 544 people surveyed by Public Policy Polling already have been diagnosed with either cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes or pre-diabetes.

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Katie Kuehner-Hebert

Katie Kuehner-Hebert is a freelance writer based in Running Springs, Calif. She has more than three decades of journalism experience, with particular expertise in employee benefits and other human resource topics.