A new study by CareerBuilder shows that the workplace and slim waistlines are not compatible – that those looking to lose weight have fat chance of doing so.
More than a thousand people were surveyed; 41% admitted that they’d put on weight since they moved to their current jobs, with 18% of those gaining more than ten pounds. Said Scott Helmes, Managing Director of CareerBuilder UK: “Work-related stress, lack of sleep and overly packed schedules can often get in the way of healthy eating and exercise habits. Poor physical health can also take a toll on mental health and work quality, so it’s important for workers to stay active, even if it just means taking small breaks throughout the day to walk around or stretch.”
It probably doesn’t take a genius to work out that sedentary roles cause more weight gain than jobs that require some level of manual activity. Though continually sitting at a desk was the major obstacle to losing weight, the survey showed more reasons why workers find it hard to shed the pounds.
The temptation of the office biscuit tin was a contender (28%), as were workplace celebrations, snacking and ‘happy hours’. The strain and stress of the role itself was also a contributory factor as to why workers felt they had no energy left for exercising before or after work. 32% claimed stress was one reason they ate more, which compounded the effect on their weight. This wasn’t a gender issue, either – the same amount of men and women reported feeling overweight.
Despite these challenges, the survey found that over two-thirds of workers regularly exercised. Scott Helmes also gave his own tips to those finding it hard to fit in exercise as part of their daily routine:
- Put exercising in your calendar: plan ahead and make time for it
- Put more activity into your daily routine: for example, Park further away from the entrance to your work premises, take the stairs instead of the lift, get off the bus/train a stop earlier, etc.
- Ban the fizzy drinks from your desk: drink water or green tea
- Bring a healthy lunch to work: it takes just a little effort each morning, but will prove much kinder to your waistline than the junk food options commonly chosen when time is sparse
- Keep healthy snacks in your desk: the biscuit tin will be less of a temptation, and you’ll never feel hungry
Though the survey showed that the onus of managing their weight is on the individual, it was apparent that few employers supported employees’ healthy diets and exercise, with a lack of gym passes, canteens stocking nutritious food, or other wellbeing perks, for example. 41% of those surveyed said they’d take advantage of such benefits if they were introduced.
Fast Recruitment Websites is rapidly becoming the UK's leading low-cost recruitment website design supplier. For a no obligation informal chat about your website design needs, contact us on 01302 288591 or info@fastrecruitmentwebsites.co.uk.
