Sit still. Stop all that squirming.

Growing up, we heard it all. We were barraged with orders from parents and teachers to get those ants out of our pants.

Who knew that obeying those dictates is making us fatter?

According to a research published in last week’s Science, fidgeting can burn about 350 calories a day, enough to cut those waistlines by up to 30 ponds a year.

Chronic leg bouncers – punished with looks of disdain when their jitters vibrate a conference table or an adjoining cubicle – along with finger tappers and chair dancers can now retort: We’re only trying to stay fit.

According to the study’s lead research, James A. Levine of the Mayo Clinic, people also tend to be born with a predisposition for extra motion, while others are born more likely to sit still.

“Some may say this is a story of doom and gloom — that people with obesity have no choice. It’s all over. I would argue exactly the opposite,” Levine told The Washington Post. “There’s a massive beacon of hope here. But it’s going to take a massive, top-down approach to change the environment in which we live to get us up and be lean again.”

So, after generations of indoctrination, finally fidgeters find a friend.

Translating the findings is pretty easy. Even small movements matter in fighting fat. Moving around, reaching, bending, tapping and twirling all burn calories, and those calories add up.

Now, if mothers will only go a little easier on those kids who just can’t stop all that squirming around.