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Some jobs are worse for your waistline than others, new research finds.
Employees who spend their days sitting behind a desk or working in an office are the ones most likely to be gaining weight, according to a new study from CareerBuilder.
Specifically, 51 percent of professional and business services employees have packed on some extra pounds in their current position, with 48 percent of IT professionals having done the same. Other industries where more than 35 percent of workers have gained weight include financial services, health care, sales, leisure and hospitality, manufacturing and retail.
Middle-age workers are the most prone to bulking up. The research found that 45 percent of workers between ages 35 and 54 gained weight in their position, compared with just 38 percent of those under age 35 and 39 percent of those over age 55.
While age does play a role, job level doesn't. Workers in management roles are equally likely as those in non-management positions to have put on weight at their present jobs.
Overall, nearly 60 percent of U.S. workers feel they are overweight, up from 55 percent a year ago, with 42 percent having gained weight in their present job.
The study discovered several ways employees feel their jobs are contributing to their weight gain. More than half of those who have added pounds in their current position blame it on sitting at a desk most of the day, while 43 percent say its because their job makes them too tired to exercise regularly.
In addition, nearly 40 percent say they're eating more than they should because of the stress of their job. The research revealed a strong connection between on-the-job stress levels and overweight workers. Less than half of employees who report extremely low stress levels feel they are overweight, compared with 70 percent of workers with extremely high stress levels.
"The health of a company's workforce is a paramount issue for many employers, as neglecting it can significantly dampen workplace morale and productivity," Rosemary Haefner, CareerBuilder's chief human resources officer, said in a statement. "There's a clear incentive to make wellness and work-life balance a focus of organizational culture, and we're encouraged to see many companies making them a priority year-after-year."
The study found that nearly 30 percent of U.S. workers have access to employer-sponsored wellness benefits, including onsite workout facilities and gym passes. Despite that, however, 63 percent of those employees don't take advantage of this benefit.
Not everyone is gaining weight, though: 16 percent of employees have actually slimmed down in their current job. The study shows that those workers tend to snack and eat takeout for lunch less, exercise more and take advantage of their employers' wellness benefits. They are also less likely to eat lunch at their desk each day.
CareerBuilder offers several tips for employees who are looking to stay fit:
- Take walks: Get off the bus or train at an earlier stop and walk the remaining distance. Take the stairs at work, go for a stroll during lunch, or walk over to someone's desk instead of sending an email. The key is to increase activity throughout the day.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking water not only makes you feel full, it can also help cut down on calories from sugary drinks.
- Pack a lunch: Packing a lunch is an easy way to choose a healthy option and control portion sizes.
- Try fruit or veggies: Employees should keep some of their favorite healthy snacks in the break room refrigerator so they'll be less tempted to go to the vending machine.
- Keep a food journal: It helps keep track of calories and identify peak snacking times, which can assist in modifying behavior.
The study was based on surveys of more than 3,000 full-time U.S. workers across a wide range of industries and company sizes.
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