Working from Home Could Be Making You Fatter, Survey Suggests
While working from home may seem appealing, allowing for a more relaxed morning routine and the luxury of staying in your pyjamas all day, a recent survey has indicated that it may be causing weight gain. According to the survey, British people consume approximately 800 extra calories and take 3,500 fewer steps on average when working from home. Experts have noted that although converting your living room into an office may create a cosy working environment, it can also lead to a lack of structure and routine, which can spell trouble for your waistline.
The survey, conducted by MyFitnessPal and involving 2,000 hybrid workers, revealed that 60% of respondents admitted to being less healthy when working from home. Many cited the absence of temptations as the main reason for their healthier habits when in the office, while others confessed to being encouraged to make healthier choices by having colleagues around them.
The self-recorded data collected from the respondents showed that on average, they consumed 2,752 calories when working from home, which was 791 calories higher than the 1,961 logged for a typical office day. To put this into perspective, a Big Mac from McDonald’s contains around 493 calories, a Greggs sausage roll has 329 calories, and a KitKat contains 209 calories. Additionally, the respondents recorded an average of 4,518 steps per day when working from home, significantly below the recommended 10,000 steps per day. In comparison, on office days, Brits walk an average of 8,087 steps.
The study also found that almost half of the respondents (45%) admitted to not leaving the house at all on days when they work from home. Prior to the pandemic, only one in eight people worked from home, and even then, it was only occasional. However, with the shift towards remote work, almost half of the British working population, or over 13 million people, now have the flexibility to work from home.
The survey revealed that on remote work days, individuals claimed to consume five snacks on average, compared to three snacks on office days. Additionally, more than a third (36%) admitted to eating when not hungry, and almost one in three (30%) do not get dressed until lunchtime. To combat these unhealthy habits, registered dietitian Brookell White suggests going for a run or walk before and after work to mimic the commute, taking intermittent breaks throughout the day, and tracking meals and snacks to better understand nutritional intake and overconsumption.
It is worth noting that working from home has also had negative effects on mental health, including increased feelings of loneliness and poor mental well-being. However, despite these challenges, the survey found that UK employees have embraced home working more enthusiastically than their European counterparts. On average, UK employees spend 1.5 days a week working remotely, compared to the international average of 0.9 days.
To maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is recommended that adults aged 19 to 64 engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, such as cycling or brisk walking, each week, along with strength exercises for all major muscle groups on 2 or more days. Alternatively, 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, such as running or singles tennis, is also acceptable. Breaking up sedentary periods with light activity is advised for all adults.
Source: NHS
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