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Office workers play the blame gain when it comes to weight gain

Posted: 15th August 2012

There's no 'I' in team, but there is in 'diet' and, according to new research, our work colleagues are ruining any chances of us sticking to one.

A new study has revealed that desk-based workers blame their co-workers for their weight gain and inability to stick to a healthy eating routine.

During their first year of employment, office workers put on an average of 10 pounds – with the majority of people (64%) attributing this gain to co-workers bringing in too many cakes and treats.

The study shows that 74% of office workers admit to consuming far more food at work than they ever would do at home, while a fifth of respondents eat more sweet treats in the office in a bid to be more sociable and 14% feel under constant peer pressure to join in when goodies are passed round.

Meanwhile, it was found that office workers will, on average, succumb to their first sweet snack by 10:04am.

Janet Taylor, diet and health manager for The Co-operative Food, which commissioned the research, said: "The office appears to be a ‘no go area’  for people trying to stick to a healthier diet, with boredom levels and the temptation to snack on unhealthy foods from ‘diet saboteurs’ causing colleagues to pile on the pounds.

"Interestingly, those admitting they need to lose those workplace wobbly bits, say they only manage to stick to a diet or healthy eating plan for six days before caving in to the cakes, chocolates and treats brought in by colleagues."

Here are the top ten reasons we eat more at work:

• Snack more at the desk;
• To pass away the time when bored;
• Colleagues are constantly bringing in snacks and treats;
• It is always someone’s birthday so cakes are brought in;
• Because food is always there and is too tempting;
• Colleagues talk about food all the time;
• Colleagues encourage everyone to eat;
• You actually have more time to eat at work than at home;
• Meetings over lunch;
• Eating and drinking after work with the boss or colleagues.