Is your stressful job making you obese? According to a recent research study conducted by the University of Rochester Medical Center, the link between workplace stress and obesity has been strongly linked. The study reinforces a very strong argument for creating a great workplace that allows flexibility in how work gets accomplished.
Here’s the problem: Employees feel enormous pressure to be seated at their desks most of the day, whether they are being productive or not. Workers in the study were fearful to leave their desks and take time away from their sedentary work style to spend time exercising on a regular basis. The fear stems from supervisors who judge employee performance based on face time rather than results.
We have known for a long time fear can cause people to gain weight. Fear, stress and sedentary lifestyles in the cubicle jungles all across America are killing people.
According to the University of Rochester’s website, “Lead author Diana Fernandez, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., an epidemiologist at the URMC Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, said her study is among many that associate high job pressure with cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, depression, exhaustion, anxiety and weight gain. It’s time to improve corporate policies that better protect the health of workers, she said.”
University of Rochester Article: University of Rochester Connects Workplace Turmoil, Stress and Obesity
UPI: Workplace Stress + Turmoil = Obesity
PsychCentral: Workplace Stress Linked to Obesity
Image Credit: PsychCentral
