Workers often take new jobs to earn a fatter paycheck, but their bank accounts aren't the only things expanding. Forty-seven percent of workers say they have gained weight since starting their present jobs, according to a recent CareerBuilder.com survey. The survey, "Work and Health 2005," was conducted from May 17, 2005 to May 27, 2005 and included more than 1,600 workers.
"Today's busy workers have trouble finding the time to cook healthy meals and exercise regularly, and their waistlines are suffering," says Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources at CareerBuilder.com. "Employers aren't offering much support in this area. Seventy-three percent of workers say their employers don't offer workout facilities, gym passes or weight loss programs to help their employees slim down."
Haefner offers the following tips to help workers fight the bulge at work:
-- Resurrect your lunch box. Thirty-nine percent of workers say they eat
out during the workday at least three times a week instead of packing
a lunch, and one-in-ten workers say they eat out five times a week.
By skipping the deli counter in favor of brown bags, you control your
portions, cut calories and save money.
-- Hang up the phone. Thanks to technology like email and voice mail,
it's easy to stay glued to your chair all day. When you need to talk
to a co-worker across the office, don't just reach for the phone.
Walk over there and chat face-to-face. Those extra steps add up.
-- Blacklist the vending machines. Thirty-five percent of workers say
they snack at the office at least twice a day, and 43 percent of
workers say they eat more unhealthy snacks at work than at home. Pack
healthier snacks like yogurt and veggies in your work bag each day.
That way, when the afternoon hunger hits, you won't beeline to the
vending machines.
-- Keep a bottle of water at your desk. Many workers reach for food when
they're bored or stressed. If you keep a bottle of water next to you
and sip it continuously throughout the day, you'll feel fuller and be
less tempted to chow down.
-- Use your lunch hour. If you have a fitness center in or near your
office, your lunch hour is a prime time to squeeze in a workout. Or,
grab a bite at your desk, then go out for a walk around your
neighborhood.
For more information on CareerBuilder.com surveys, visit http://www.careerbuilder.com/share/AboutUs/PR/surveys.htm
*comScore Media Metrix, March 2005. The CareerBuilder Network is a custom aggregation of CareerBuilder.com traffic as well as job search traffic to career centers CareerBuilder powers for partner sites such as Tribune Company, Gannett, Knight Ridder and others.
Survey Methodology
The CareerBuilder.com survey, "Work and Health 2005," was conducted from May 17 to May 27, 2005. Methodology used to collect survey responses totaling more than 1,600 workers for this study involved selecting a random sample of comScore Networks panel members. These Web Panel members were approached via an e-mail invitation, which asked them to participate in a short online survey. The results of this survey are statistically accurate to within +/- 2.43 percentage points (19 times out of 20).
About CareerBuilder.com
CareerBuilder.com is the nation's largest online job network with more than 20 million unique visitors and over 1 million jobs. Owned by Gannett Co., Inc.
Media Contact: Jennifer Sullivan (773) 527-1164jennifer.sullivan@careerbuilder.com
SOURCE: CareerBuilder.com
CONTACT: Jennifer Sullivan of CareerBuilder.com, +1-773-527-1164,
Web site: http://www.careerbuilder.com/