This may not feel like a time of plenty. But many American workers' waist lines are expanding through the weak economy, according to a new survey by Chicago-based CareerBuilder.
The poll revealed that 44 percent of workers have gained weight in their current jobs, with 32 percent saying stress was a contributing factor. In 2009, 43 percent of workers reported putting on pounds. The weight gain was more than 10 pounds for 28 percent of employees and more than 20 pounds for 12 percent of workers.
The survey, conducted online between Feb. 10 and March 2, polled about 4,800 Americans who are at least 18 years old and employed full-time at a non-government job.
"Especially in this economy, it is easier to pick up unhealthy eating habits in the office as workers spend more time on heavier workloads and less time on themselves," Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder, said in a news release.
Still, the other reasons for office weight gain cited by the survey participants were perennial culprits: workplace celebrations such as birthday parties and eating out regularly, for example. Half of the workers surveyed said they eat lunch out at least five days a week, and one-quarter of employees said they snack at least twice a day. Only 9 percent of the respondents said they use their lunch hour to exercise.
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And 49 percent of respondents said they gained weight simply by sitting at their desks for most of the day.
Women were more susceptible to weight gain in the office, with 50 percent of female workers saying they had gained weight, versus 39 percent of men.
CareerBuilder recommended that employees bring a healthy lunch from home, set an eating schedule for the day to avoid snacking and find a work-out buddy in the office. The site also had a suggestion for weight loss that will strike many as revolutionary: "Walk over to co-workers instead of calling or e-mailing them."
