Cheesed off: Are these the UK’s most unhealthy cities to work in?

Workers across the nation confess that their job has caused them to pile on the pounds

They say you are what you eat, and for many UK professionals that spells trouble! According to the latest survey from the UK’s leading independent job board, CV-Library, nearly three quarters of workers (72.8%) believe that their job has had a negative effect on their health and what they eat, with 36.4% saying they have gained weight as a result.

The survey of 1,000 UK workers explored the effect that working life has had on their health and diet and found that 37.9% admitted to eating more unhealthy food, with a further 34.8% saying that they snack a lot at work. In fact, some of the nation’s biggest workplace snackers are those aged 18-24 (40.4%) and 55-64 (42.7%).

Furthermore, having analysed where in the UK employees are eating the most junk food, the study has uncovered the top five unhealthiest cities to work:

  1. Liverpool  (54.5%)
  2. Leeds (54.3%)
  3. Sheffield (47.6%)
  4. Cardiff (47.1%)
  5. Newcastle (41.7%)

Lee Biggins, founder and managing director of CV-Library, comments:

Weight gain at work is not uncommon, especially for those in office jobs that require little to no physical activity throughout the day. But while we all need a sugar fix every now and again, balancing this with a bit of fresh air at lunchtime can really help with productivity, especially now that the sun is beginning to shine!” 

It’s unsurprising that many workers are reaching for the biscuit tin, as a whopping three quarters (78.4%) revealed that their colleagues often bring in unhealthy snacks to the office, rising to 83.8% in Scotland and 80.6% in Newcastle. In addition, 64.4% of Brits said they often find these edible treats hard to resist, with 14.9% stating that they always give in (rising to 23.5% in Wales).

However, not all cities across the nation saw similar results, with some saying that they actually experienced weight loss or ate more healthy food as a result of their job. In fact, some of the healthiest cities to work in include Manchester (26.9%), Birmingham (26.9%) and London (16%).

Biggins continues:

“While it’s great to see that workers in some of the UK’s core cities are experiencing a more positive result in terms of their health, it’s concerning that the numbers of those eating unhealthily are higher than the former. Boredom or procrastination can often lead to too many afternoon snacks, and many of us are guilty of over-doing it when we’re stressed, but your diet can have a worrying effect on the way you function and your productivity.

 

“Making healthier choices could improve your performance at work, and leave you feeling less lethargic post-lunch, especially for those in the cities most affected. But remember, it’s ok to treat yourself every once in a while!”

 

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