August 2006

46 percent of workers gained weight at job

The Battle of the Bulge continues at the office according to CareerBuilder.com’s annual “Work and Health” survey. Forty-six percent of workers report they have gained weight since starting their current jobs — similar to last year’s findings. One out of five workers say they are more than 10 pounds heavier, while nearly one out of 10 workers have put on more than 20 pounds.

A worker’s industry can make a big difference, with employees in relatively sedentary roles more likely to report weight gain. Government workers (57 percent), IT workers (54 percent), and accounting/finance workers (53 percent) reported expanding waistlines, compared with just 35 percent of retail workers and 39 percent of sales workers.

Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources for CareerBuilder.com offers the following tips to help workers keep control of their waistlines:

• Use your commute. If you drive to work, park farther away from the office. If you use public transportation, get off the bus or train a stop or two early and walk the rest of the way. To burn even more calories, take the stairs instead of riding the elevator.

• Bring a lunch. One-third of workers say they buy their lunches instead of bringing them at least three times a week. By packing your own lunches, you can control portions.

• Only eat when you’re hungry. Many workers turn to food to ease boredom and stress. Keep a bottle of water at your desk and drink it throughout the day to curb your urge to munch.

• Snack smart. One-third of workers say they snack at least twice a day at work, and 40 percent eat more unhealthy snacks at work than they do at home. Skip the vending machines and start packing healthier snacks like crackers or raw veggies.

Source: CareerBuilder.com, www.careerbuilder.com

Industry News from:
Chiropractic News from: