How Our Work is Making Us Gain Weight

The average American spends about 40 hours at their job every week. While many people in the U.S. understand the importance of physical activity, they are immobile for more hours of the day than they are active due to work.   While desk jobs have always had an impact upon health because employees are encouraged to be sedentary, today’s office workers are likely moving less than ever before.

With new technology, even individuals within the same office setting don’t need to leave their desks to communicate with one another as email makes it possible to get a message out quickly and conveniently. Office workers, as a result, are getting very little exercise, and their jobs are in part responsible. There’s no avoiding the fact that certain jobs can make people heavier.

Jobs That Make Us Gain Weight

People who have desk jobs move very little throughout the day, according to a study completed by the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. On average, the individuals who participated in the study went about their normal routines and logged just over 4000 steps per day. This is far less than the 10,000 steps recommended by the CDC.

Secretaries were the main category of employees that made up this group, proving that their desk job is one of virtual immobility. The next occupation studied that ranked as ‘most likely to become fat due to their work’ is teachers. Although they do not have a standard desk job since they are often on their feet in the classroom, at 4,700 steps on average, they do not move much! Other jobs to rank as the least active: lawyers and police officers.

Preventing Weight Gain Due to Work

In order to maintain a healthy weight despite sedentary desk jobs, individuals need to make a point of exercising outside of the office. Those who are idle during the day need to ensure that they get moving. Those who have active jobs may not have the same requirements for weight maintenance that office workers do. There are some additional tips that can benefit individuals who need to increase their level of physical activity.

1. Get a pedometer – Use a pedometer to try to ensure you take 10,000 steps each and every day. This will encourage you to move more, even while at the office. Instead of sending an email to a co-worker, walk over to their desk. When you have a set goal in mind and something to track it, it’s easier to get moving!
2. Find reasons to be mobile – When pulling up to the office in your car, park at the far end of the parking lot. Or, if you live close enough that it’s reasonable to do so, walk or bike!
3. Exercise on your lunch break – To ensure that you don’t spend 8+ hours per day consecutively immobile, make sure that you go for a walk or do some other form of exercise on your lunch break.

To combat potential weight gain while at the office, ensure that you increase your daily exercise levels. If your work has already made you fat, then try a weight loss retreat to get the pounds off and establish new healthy habits that will help you maintain it.