A new survey finds that the recession may be taking a toll on Americans’ waistlines, with one in 10 U.S. workers reporting more daily snacking amid concerns over the economic slowdown.
More than four in ten survey participants, or 43 percent, reported gaining weight in their present jobs, according to the online survey by jobs Web site CareerBuilder.com.
One-quarter reported gaining more than 10 pounds, while one-in-six reported gaining in excess of 20 pounds.
Demonstrating how eating habits can cause weight gain, 39 percent reported eating out for lunch two or more times a week, while 12 percent reported buying their lunch from a vending machine at least once a week.
Two-thirds reported snacking at least once daily, with 24 percent reported snacking twice a day, the survey found.
“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,” Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder.com, told Reuters.
According to the survey, just 9 percent of employees exercise at midday, despite 25 percent of U.S. companies having an in-house fitness facility or providing gym passes to employees.
The survey found that 48 percent of women reported gaining weight, while 39 percent of men reported weight gain.
The online survey, which included responses from 4,435 U.S. full-time adult employees, was conducted by Harris Interactive from February 20 through March 11.
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