Work weight

A new survey from Chicago-based CareerBuilder shows that 44% of workers gained weight in their current job.

The CareerBuilder report said the combination of work stress and economic pressures appears to be playing a role in the U.S. labor force’s weight gain.

Overall, 44% of workers say they have gained weight in their current jobs, up slightly from 43% in 2009, according to a new CareerBuilder survey. Nearly one-third (32%) of workers say that stress contributed to their weight gain at work.

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

“Employers know that employees who are healthier and have less stress are more productive and ultimately stay longer in their positions. Because of this, we continue to see employers taking a more proactive role in their staff’s health by offering perks such as gym passes, onsite workout facilities, wellness benefits and even contests that promote healthy living,” Rosemary Haefner, vice president of Human Resources for CareerBuilder, said in a statement.

SURVEY FINDINGS
• 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 (16%); and, Skipping meals because of time constraints (14%).

• More than one-quarter (28%) of employees say they have gained more than 10 pounds and 12% say they gained more than 20 pounds while in their present positions.

• Half of female workers (50%) say they have gained weight in their current position, compared to 39% of their male counterparts. 30% of women gained more than 10 pounds compared to 23% of men.

• Only 9% of employees said they work up a sweat by working out during the lunch hour. Female workers take advantage of a lunchtime workout more than their male counterparts, at 11% and 8%, respectively.

• Half of workers surveyed say they eat out for lunch at least five days a week, making it difficult to control portions and calorie intake.

• Snacking can also be a slippery slope for those trying to cut back on calories; two-thirds (65 percent) of employees snack at least once a day, including one-quarter that snack twice a day.