The Workplace, Bad for the Waistline?

Nearly one-third (32%) of workers say stress contributed to their weight gain at work.   

According to a press release, other factors workers cite for contributing to weight gain in the office include:

• Sitting at a desk most of the day – 49%,
• Eating out regularly – 25%,
• Workplace celebrations (potlucks, birthdays, etc) – 16%, and
• Skipping meals because of time constraints – 14%.

More than one-quarter (28%) of employees report they have gained more than ten pounds and 12% say they gained more than 20 pounds while in their present positions.   

Comparing genders, women were more likely to put on weight than men and were more likely to gain a higher amount of pounds. Half of female workers (50%) say they have gained weight in their current position, compared to 39% of their male counterparts. Thirty percent of women gained more than 10 pounds compared to 23% of men.   

Though employees could cut back on workplace weight gain by heading to the gym during lunch hour, only 9% of employees said they work up a sweat in the middle of the day. Female workers take advantage of a lunchtime workout more than their male counterparts, at 11% versus 8%, respectively.   

In addition, half of workers surveyed say they eat out for lunch at least five days a week, and two-thirds (65%) of employees snack at least once a day, including one-quarter that snack twice a day.   

The survey was conducted from February 10 through March 2, 2010 among more than 4,800 workers.