-Expert Offers Tips to Help Make Healthy Choices on the Job-
CHICAGO, April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The economy may be contributing to the expanding waistlines of U.S. workers as one-in-ten report increased snacking during the day due to concerns over the current economic situation. Overall, 43 percent say they have gained weight in their current jobs, according to a new CareerBuilder survey. The survey was conducted from February 20 through March 11, 2009 among more than 4,400 workers.
A quarter of employees report they have gained more than ten pounds and 12 percent say they gained more than 20 pounds while in their present positions. Comparing genders, women are more likely (48 percent) than men (39 percent) to say they have gained weight at their current jobs.
"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."
Eating habits can often be a culprit in workplace weight gain. 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. In addition, 12 percent buy their lunch out of a vending machine at least once a week.
Snacking can also be a slippery slope for those trying to cut back on calories, as two-thirds (67 percent) of employees surveyed snack at least once a day, including 24 percent that snack twice a day.
One of the ways employees can cut back on workplace weight gain is by heading to the gym during lunch hour, but according to the survey, onl
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