The U.S. economy has been hitting some bumps, and jobs still seem scarce. Workers in many industries are nervous that they may be out of work soon, thanks to cheaper labor overseas. But some economists argue that offshoring is part of free trade, and the money saved will be reinvested in new job-creating businesses at home. Here's a look at what's new in the jobs debate from around the Web. (Some links may require registration or subscriptions.)

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10 HEALTHIEST JOBS: Think your job is good for your health? If you're a chiropractor or a florist, then you're right. Monster.com says some jobs lend themselves to healthy lifestyles -- typically those with low stress, healthy surroundings and the chance to help others. The top spot based on those criteria goes to activity planners -- the people who coordinate recreational pursuits at hotels and nursing homes. "With a focus on staying fit, both mentally and physically, activity specialists work with others to maintain an active, positive attitude toward life," Monster says. Also making the cut: professor, choreographer, nutritionist, and massage therapist.

On the other end of the spectrum, men who spend the most time behind their desks are also most likely to be overweight. A study conducted by Australian researchers and reported in the August issue of American Journal of Preventive Medicine shows that men on average sit 20 minutes longer at their desk each day than women. That 20 minutes appears to make a difference. Statistical analyses showed significant associations between occupational sitting time and a body mass index, or BMI, of 25 or above in men, but not in women. Body mass index is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. People with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight, and 30 or greater, obese.

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THE AMERICAN INDIAN BENEFIT: Much has been made of the rising middle class in India, but American Indians stand to gain from outsourcing, too. On the Pine Ridge reservation in Kyle, S.D., where unemployment hovers around 80%, a marketing and Web design startup, Lakota Express, has its first big client -- a Chinese-U.S. joint venture, the Associated Press reports. Chinese workers transcribe electronic documents and then eight Oglala Lakota Sioux tribe members check their work for accuracy. The Chinese workers understand English, but can't always read Americans' handwriting. Enter Lakota Express. There are similar ventures on reservations in other states. Consultant Carey Wold tells the AP that on four Utah reservations between 150 and 180 jobs have been created through outsourcing.

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TEAMSTER TROUBLE: Two of the largest unions within the AFL-CIO broke away from the labor federation, taking 3.2 million workers, or nearly a quarter of the AFL-CIO's membership, with them. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Service Employees International Union decided to leave after a dispute over declining U.S. membership and the future direction of organized labor.

The New York Times theorizes that the rift reflects a schism between labor's leaders: John J. Sweeney, the president of the A.F.L.-C.I.O., and Andrew L. Stern, the president of the Service Employees International Union.

In a Washington Post column, Harold Meyer writes that despite the lack of theatrics, the announcement still stunned. As for what it means, he says it's to early to tell. "No one can say whether the birth of this new labor movement will lead to a desperately needed reversal in fortune for America's workers."

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MICROSOFT'S PRODIGY: Ten-year-old Arfa Karim Randhawa put Bill Gates on the spot this week, grilling the Microsoft founder during a visit to the company's Redmond, Wash., campus. She asked why the software giant doesn't hire more women or people her age. Ms. Randhawa, of Pakistan, is believed to be the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional in the world. The designation is awarded to outside experts who prove their ability to work with Microsoft technologies. Despite her question, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports, Microsoft wasn't about to offer a job to someone so young. But S. Somasegar, a Microsoft corporate vice president, talked with Ms. Randhawa about the possibility of an internship in a few years.

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BADGE FLIP: John Valente used to be a vice president in Best Buy's information technology department. But last year, Best Buy outsourced its IT department to Accenture and transferred hundreds of jobs, including Mr. Valente's, to the consulting firm. "His days as a Best Buy employee were over. But his days working at Best Buy would continue. He had joined the outsourced generation," the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Mr. Valente kept his desk and his phone number, but there were subtle changes in the relationship between him and his former coworkers. They were no longer his peers; they were his customers. Not everyone handles the transition well. About 15% of employees whose designation changes from company man to contractor leave within the first year.

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RECRUIT AND DETER: The Associated Press reports that the U.S. military has a new tactic in Afghanistan: Employ as many of the poor as possible to rebuild schools and clinics so they don't join the Taliban or al Qaeda. As part of the strategy, an ambitious string of reconstruction projects are on the drawing board for fall and winter, to try to prevent an insurgent offensive next spring.

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BLUE CHIPS, PINK SLIPS: In June, U.S. corporations announced plans to cut 110,996 jobs -- the highest monthly total in 17 months. Some fear the numbers for July could even be higher. Over the past week, employees at several blue-chips firms, including Kodak, Hewlett-Packard and Kimberly-Clark, were warned about thousands of new layoffs.

In an editorial, the San Jose Mercury News writes that while H-P's massive job cuts will mean hardships for thousands of laid-off workers, they're not likely to cause major disruptions to the economy in Silicon Valley. The reasoning is that as a decentralized, global firm, only a small fraction of the jobs H-P is cutting will be from headquarters.

The editorial points out that there's a bigger concern than lost jobs: "Our ecosystem of risk-taking financiers, inventors, talented engineers and marketers remains unique. But it is increasingly threatened by skyrocketing housing prices, an aging infrastructure and an education system that fails to prepare most young people for a 21st-century economy."

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HIGH VOLUME, HIGH STRESS: Dr. S. Kalyanasundaram has noticed a pattern at his clinic. Many of his patients are starting to report the same symptoms. Lately the Bangalore-based psychiatrist has been seeing a lot of the technology crowd, the Financial Times reports. The complainants are 20-33 year-olds, stressed and depressed. They have panic attacks, relationship troubles, alcoholism and eating disorders. Dr. Kalyanasundaram says the spike in software and call center workers seeking counseling is due to their fear that if they don't work hard enough, someone will steal their job from under them.