A new survey finds that the worst job for weight gain is administrative assistants, with 70 percent packing on the pounds on the job. Other careers that may wreck your waistline: engineer, teacher, nurse, or IT manager.
In a survey from website CareerBuilder of 3,600 full-time workers in the US, more than half consider themselves to be overweight, and 41 percent have gained weight at their present jobs. Of those who say they've gained weight, 59 percent gained over 10 pounds (4.5 kilos) and 30 percent gained over 20 pounds (9 kilos). Conversely, 16 percent of all workers say they've lost weight while at their current job.
According to the survey, here are the top jobs for gaining weight:
• Administrative assistant (69 percent)
• Engineer (56 percent)
• Teacher/instructor K-12 (51 percent)
• Nurse practitioner or physician's assistant (51 percent)
• IT manager/network administrator (51 percent)
• Attorney/judge/legal professional (48 percent)
• Machine operator/assembly/production worker (45 percent)
• Scientist, biological/physical/social (39 percent)
"Weight gain at work often comes from a combination of poor eating habits when you're on the go and not being able to fit a workout into a busy schedule," said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. "Two in five workers don't exercise on a regular basis and one in ten don't exercise at all."
Workers cited the following causes for expanding waistlines:
• Sitting at my desk most of the day - 56 percent
• Eating because of stress - 35 percent
• Eating out regularly - 26 percent
• The temptation of the office candy jar - 17 percent
• Having to skip meals because of time constraints - 17 percent
• Workplace celebrations (potlucks, birthdays) - 17 percent
• Pressure to eat food co-workers bring in - 9 percent
• Happy hours - 4 percent
How to turn it around? Haefner offers the following tips: Take walks during the way, or get off the bus or train at an earlier stop and walk the remaining distance. Take the stairs, and walk over to a colleague's desk rather than sending an email. To help stave off temptations for caloric office treats, pack along healthy snacks, such as fruits and vegetables, and drink plenty of water.
Is your job making you fat?
A new survey finds that the worst job for weight gain is administrative assistants, with 70 percent packing on the pounds on the job. Other careers that may wreck your waistline: engineer, teacher, nurse, or IT manager.
In a survey from website CareerBuilder of 3,600 full-time workers in the US, more than half consider themselves to be overweight, and 41 percent have gained weight at their present jobs. Of those who say they've gained weight, 59 percent gained over 10 pounds (4.5 kilos) and 30 percent gained over 20 pounds (9 kilos). Conversely, 16 percent of all workers say they've lost weight while at their current job.
According to the survey, here are the top jobs for gaining weight:
• Administrative assistant (69 percent)
• Engineer (56 percent)
• Teacher/instructor K-12 (51 percent)
• Nurse practitioner or physician's assistant (51 percent)
• IT manager/network administrator (51 percent)
• Attorney/judge/legal professional (48 percent)
• Machine operator/assembly/production worker (45 percent)
• Scientist, biological/physical/social (39 percent)
"Weight gain at work often comes from a combination of poor eating habits when you're on the go and not being able to fit a workout into a busy schedule," said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. "Two in five workers don't exercise on a regular basis and one in ten don't exercise at all."
Workers cited the following causes for expanding waistlines:
• Sitting at my desk most of the day - 56 percent
• Eating because of stress - 35 percent
• Eating out regularly - 26 percent
• The temptation of the office candy jar - 17 percent
• Having to skip meals because of time constraints - 17 percent
• Workplace celebrations (potlucks, birthdays) - 17 percent
• Pressure to eat food co-workers bring in - 9 percent
• Happy hours - 4 percent
How to turn it around? Haefner offers the following tips: Take walks during the way, or get off the bus or train at an earlier stop and walk the remaining distance. Take the stairs, and walk over to a colleague's desk rather than sending an email. To help stave off temptations for caloric office treats, pack along healthy snacks, such as fruits and vegetables, and drink plenty of water.
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