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Weight & the Workplace: 43 Percent Gaining Lbs. Over Economic Anxiety

Yes, swimsuit season is fast upon us… and ridiculously mouth-watering temptations like this aren’t helping the cause. The waistlines of American workers are expanding, as four out of ten American workers have reportedly gained weight at their current jobs, according to a newly released CareerBuilder survey.  You can blame delicious gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches directly if you like, but as it turns out, there’s something else making us turn to one of our most consistent comforts: The recession.

The survey, conducted from February 20 through March 20, 2009 among more than 4,400 workers, reveals that one in ten workers report increased snacking during the day due to economic concerns, and almost half (43 percent) of workers say they have gained weight in their current jobs. A quarter have gained more than ten pounds, and 12 percent have gained more than 20 pounds in their present positions. That’s a lot of grilled cheese sandwiches.

While we can point fingers at the recession for our weight-related woes, other factors are likely at play here as well — factors that contribute to weight gain with or without a struggling economy in the mix, like:

  • Restaurants – Nearly two in five (39 percent) employees surveyed eat out for lunch twice or more per week, making it difficult to control portions and calorie intake.
  • Vending machine meals — 12 percent buy their lunch out of a vending machine at least once a week.
  • Snacking — Two-thirds (67 percent) of employees surveyed snack at least once a day, including 24 percent who snack twice a day.
    burger

“Weight gain in the office is common and is a result of a variety of issues including today’s economic stress and poor eating habits,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of Human Resources for CareerBuilder.com. “Making little adjustments to your routine, such as bringing your lunch to work, getting up from your desk during the day, and walking instead of driving or taking public transportation will help curb some of your financial worries, while making you healthier.”

So how can employees stay healthy and keep those waistlines from growing, despite growing concerns over our economic state?

Haefner recommends the following tips for fending off workplace weight gain:

  • Allow enough time in your morning for a balanced breakfast – While 23 percent of workers say they eat breakfast at their desks each day, it may make more sense to try to have breakfast before coming to the office. That way you can prepare something healthier and actually finish it before having to start answering the phone or responding to emails.
  • Drink plenty of water – Often a snack craving can be mistaken for dehydration. Be sure to keep water or another healthy beverage at your desk throughout the day so that you can hydrate freely.
  • Keep track of your eating – Experts say that when you see what you are actually eating, you will be more inclined to make adjustments to your eating habits and become healthier.
  • Add movement to your routine – Especially in this economic environment, every little bit of activity helps, so take the stairs to your floor, walk over to co-workers instead of calling or emailing them and get off the train or bus one stop further from your home or office to get a few extra minutes of exercise.
  • Control your stress – Added pressure can fuel poor eating habits, as you can tend to overeat or make inadequate food choices when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Try to manage stress with regular exercise and speak with a supervisor if your workload is drowning you.

Any other thoughts or tips for keeping workers healthy at work?

UPDATE: Or, as mentioned below in the comments, is employee health not an employer’s concern?

Amy Chulik

About Amy Chulik

Originally hailing from Ohio, Amy is a content strategist on the Marketing and Communications Team who has been with both CareerBuilder and the city of Chicago for more than seven years. She writes on a range of recruitment topics on The Hiring Site, striving to bring a dose of clarity and humor to sometimes complicated issues around employee attraction, engagement and retention. In addition, she writes and edits content for the CareerBuilder website as well as CareerBuilder e-books, white papers, emails, marketing campaigns, and anything else that's thrown her way. She is also the voice of @cbforemployers on Twitter. When she's not working, Amy spends as much time as possible reading, writing short stories, eating Nutella out of the jar, waiting for CTA buses and trains, going to see her favorite bands live, dreaming up new adventures, and spending time with people who inspire and challenge her.
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Robert Walz

I formerly lived in North Dakota and do keep up with State activities. They are seeking employees and anyone that is unemployed should research what is available. A State contact is:
Sheila Messer
Customer Service Representative
Job Service North Dakota
701-328-5001
TTY: 1-800-366-6888
smesser@nd.gov

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Laura Johnson

I strongly support employers offering health and wellness initiatives. Companies are demanding more of their employees by requiring longer shifts, at sedentary jobs. This contributes to stress related illnesses and obesity. Health and wellness programs don't have to be a huge investment to make an impact; offer discounts at a health club or sponsor a team charity walk/run. Our nation depends on it!

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Mary Beth Smith

I'm surprised that lengthy commutes are not referenced as a cause for weight gain. Not only are you spending a great deal of time sitting, you're also chewing up (sorry for the pun...) time that could be used for walking or some other kind of physical activity.

Interesting point about weight relating to productivity... If you have an already sedentary job, and no other underlying health issues that are exacerbatd by weight gain, it shouldn't matter. However, if you have a job that requires a lot of mobility, such as outside sales, or other jobs that keep you on your feet and moving around, I think it definitely has the potential to affect productivity.

Additionally, if you have (or develop) health conditions related to excess weight, such as diabetes, for instance, which can be accompanied by sluggishness, that could certainly affect productivity.

At any rate, it's MY responsibility to monitor my wellness. My company makes health insurance available to me, but it's up to ME to follow the medical advice I receive from the clinicians.

Interesting topic - Looking forward to the discussion!

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laurie ruettimann

I don't believe companies have any business in wellness. Your weight has no relation to your productivity.

http://www.tcbreview.com/soundings-mar09.php#soundings3

Do you run a daycare or a profitable business? Does your CEO talk about earnings or BMI numbers?

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Michael Long

So... are you saying that weight loss companies need to gear up for the end of the recession? ;-)

That's pretty interesting information. Thanks for sharing!

Looking forward,
Michael

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Robert Walz

I formerly lived in North Dakota and do keep up with State activities. They are seeking employees and anyone that is unemployed should research what is available. A State contact is:
Sheila Messer
Customer Service Representative
Job Service North Dakota
701-328-5001
TTY: 1-800-366-6888
smesser@nd.gov

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Laura Johnson

I strongly support employers offering health and wellness initiatives. Companies are demanding more of their employees by requiring longer shifts, at sedentary jobs. This contributes to stress related illnesses and obesity. Health and wellness programs don't have to be a huge investment to make an impact; offer discounts at a health club or sponsor a team charity walk/run. Our nation depends on it!

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Mary Beth Smith

I'm surprised that lengthy commutes are not referenced as a cause for weight gain. Not only are you spending a great deal of time sitting, you're also chewing up (sorry for the pun...) time that could be used for walking or some other kind of physical activity.

Interesting point about weight relating to productivity... If you have an already sedentary job, and no other underlying health issues that are exacerbatd by weight gain, it shouldn't matter. However, if you have a job that requires a lot of mobility, such as outside sales, or other jobs that keep you on your feet and moving around, I think it definitely has the potential to affect productivity.

Additionally, if you have (or develop) health conditions related to excess weight, such as diabetes, for instance, which can be accompanied by sluggishness, that could certainly affect productivity.

At any rate, it's MY responsibility to monitor my wellness. My company makes health insurance available to me, but it's up to ME to follow the medical advice I receive from the clinicians.

Interesting topic - Looking forward to the discussion!

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Amy Chulik

Thanks for the comment, Michael. Glad you enjoyed the information!

And Laurie, I didn't delve into that subject in the post, but it's a good point that you bring up -- I'm curious to see what others' stance is on this. I updated the post and invite others to comment on this aspect of employee health...

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Emily

You lost me at the Grilled Cheese sandwiches!

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laurie ruettimann

I don't believe companies have any business in wellness. Your weight has no relation to your productivity.

http://www.tcbreview.com/soundings-mar09.php#soundings3

Do you run a daycare or a profitable business? Does your CEO talk about earnings or BMI numbers?

share
  • spam
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  • disagree
  • off topic
 Like
Michael Long

So... are you saying that weight loss companies need to gear up for the end of the recession? ;-)

That's pretty interesting information. Thanks for sharing!

Looking forward,
Michael

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