Obesity is one of the biggest public health challenges the United States is currently facing, with a staggering prevalence of 40% in adults.
With excessive weight comes also a lot of co-morbid conditions, as it can increase the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, aching joints, and many more, which can affect an individual’s quality of life in the long run.
While you might think that weight gain is all about diet and exercise, or even certain medical conditions, the truth is that your workplace can also have a role to play.
Too Much Time At a Desk
Working at a desk all day, with barely any natural movement built in, is a recipe for disaster. When you spend too much time sitting at your desk, it slows down your metabolism, reduces the calories you burn, and has negative effects on your blood sugar levels.
Businesses can help by introducing standing desks or making walking meetings a normal part of the routine. It’s also helpful to encourage short movement breaks throughout the day.
Too Much Store-Bought Coffee
Many employees rely on coffee to get through the day, and that often means grabbing a sugary drink from a coffee shop. These can be loaded with hundreds of calories, especially if you’re adding in all sorts of extras like flavored syrups and whipped cream in an XXL cup.
Drinking these throughout the day soon adds up, even if your meals remain the same. Businesses can help by making healthier options more accessible, like providing water dispensers to encourage people to rely less on coffee. If coffee is a must, introducing a basic coffee machine in the office can make a difference. It’s less likely to include all the extra calories that come with a coffee shop-style drink.
Stress Eating & Pressed Eating
The issue of stress eating is a huge problem in many offices.
Indeed, tight deadlines, back-to-back meetings, and heavy workloads all push employees to grab food that is quick and comforting. What does this look like? Typically, it’s about reaching for sugary treats in the break room.
Even when people are trying to make healthier choices, options are limited. Many employees are pressed for time when it comes to food, so processed store-bought lunches are the best option. Over time, this kind of eating pattern can lead to weight gain and energy crashes.
Businesses can help by taking a close look at ways to encourage employees to have a proper lunch break. This can require addressing the meeting culture and reassessing workload expectations to reduce unrealistic schedules. There’s no denying that providing access to healthier snacks, fresh fruit, or balanced lunch options in the office kitchen can be a big help, but it’s not enough if your team is constantly under time stress.
Weight gain among office workers is almost never down to just one factor. There are underlying reasons that can also aggravate the situation, so it would be unfair to blame office habits for everything. However, it’s important for businesses to recognize that they have a role in helping their workers maintain a healthy weight. Perks like nutritional advice and gym membership are nice add-ons, but they are not sufficient when the office pace creates an environment for unhealthy habits.
