IT Workers Weigh In on Health Habits
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Feeling a little, shall we say, sluggish lately? You might be among the vast ranks of IT workers who have put on some extra heft while sitting at their desks. A study by CareerBuilder.com found that half of U.S. IT workers have gained weight at their current jobs. The study, which polled nearly 7,700 participants from Feb. 11 through March 13, found that 34 percent of IT workers report they have gained more than 10 pounds in their current positions. Even more alarming, 17 percent say they have put on more than 20 pounds! Who knew managed services could be hazardous to your health? While the study doesn't specify anything about workers monitoring customer systems remotely, come on, you've got to admit that keeping an eye on a customer's systems from miles away by staring at computer screens surely produces far less sweat than even the minimal amount of walking to and from the truck a technician drives to a customer site for troubleshooting. But let's not get crazy. The channel shouldn't turn its back on managed services just because that back is getting a few inches wider. Perhaps a little more exercise during the day will do the trick, or taking better stock of what you eat. That is, if the extra weight bothers you. Hey, some people might enjoy the extra girth - who knows? Another option for shedding some weight might be to take American Soda Machines up on its high-tech-themed soda vending machines offer. You could stock the machines only with diet drinks, or even better, water. American Soda Machines promises that its machines offer a "fun, offbeat way to keep beverages cold, no matter the alcohol content." The company takes old machines and restores them. Restorations are customized, so if your company wants to put its logo or slogan on it, American Soda Machines will gladly oblige. For a fee, of course. Granted, the high-tech industry's weight problem isn't going to be solved entirely by stocking customized soda vending machines. But it's a start. Think of all the calories you'll burn trying to tip the damn thing over once it takes your coins and refuses to spit out your drink. Not to cast any aspersions on America Soda Machines' abilities, of course, but sooner or later every vending machine will steal your coins. It's a rule of some kind. Then again, don't take advice from me on any of this. It turns out that 11 percent of IT workers buy their lunch from what CareerBuilder called "a notoriously unhealthy vending machine at least once a week." But, hey, no matter the culprits, IT workers can take heart in another CareerBuilder finding: They are less chubby than financial services and government workers. Fifty-three percent of financial workers said they have gained weight at their current jobs, while the number for government workers is 52 percent. For more on IT careers, click here. |
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Comments (9)
According to the pro-aspartame website aspartame.org, the product is in over 5000 other products.
Others say that the aspartame product is hidden by the name "natural flavor", or "artificial flavor".
And according to:
http://www.wnho.net/aspartame_makes_you_fatter.htm
"ASPARTAME MAKES YOU FATTER!"
"COMMENTS BY DR. BETTY MARTINI:
Also with regard to obesity and aspartame, the Trocho Study in Barcelona in l998 showed that the formaldehyde converted from the free methyl alcohol accumulates in the cells and damages DNA with most toxicity in the liver but substantial toxicity in the adipose tissue or fat cells. Further a recent epidemiological study by Sharon Fowler at the University of Texas in 2005 linked diet drinks with obesity.
In the Congressional Record, Senate, S - 5511, May 7, l985, and part of the protest of the National Soft Drink Assn, now American Beverage, is this Statement:
"Aspartame has been demonstrated to inhibit the carbohydrate-induced synthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin (Wurtman affidavit). Serotonin blunts the sensation of craving carbohydrates and this is part of the body's feedback system that helps limit consumption of carbohydrate to appropriate levels. Its inhibition by aspartame could lead to the anomalous result of a diet product causing increased consumption of carbohydrates."
So as far as product liability is concerned you have companies marketing an addictive excitoneurotoxic carcinogenic drug to the population as a sugarfree diet product knowing full well this is causing obesity. They also know that aspartame is addictive and that the methanol component is classified as a narcotic. Aspartame liberates free methyl alcohol causing chronic methanol poisoning. This affects the dopamine system of the brain causing the addiction."
Posted by Anon | May 21, 2008 2:52 AM
I'll ignore the fact that this was a thinly veiled ad for American Soda Machines and go on to the more important point.
"You could stock the machines only with diet drinks, or even better, water."
The thought that diet drinks actually makes people any thinner is absurd. They convince the body that they are full on empty calories temporarily, and put their brain into starvation mode so that they store more fat. And just switching to water without changing the rest of your intake will not make you lean. I'm not demonizing the soda industry because there are sodas out there that are closest to the way nature intended (for example Virgil's rootbeer).
Ever see a person who has been thin their entire life drinking only diet sodas? If they are, they are more than likely smokers who will have a higher metabolism and a lower lifespan.
If you want IT workers to get thinner, tell them to stop eating foods with chemical substances that the body was not designed to ingest. The Japanese eat a diet of mostly vegetables, fish and fruit and have the lowest obesity rates and highest longevity in the world.
The culprits are hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, all artificial sweeteners and carcinogenic preservatives (sodium benzoate, which under right circumstances can become benzene). If you're eating something that can't go bad and doesn't have a short shelf life, you shouldn't be eating it.
If it is not something your great grandparents would or could eat, you shouldn't eat it either.
Posted by Workerbee | May 21, 2008 8:28 AM
WAAAAAAA. I get fat because I sit at my desk all day, and dont work out before or after work.
WAAAAAAA. I eat fast food and drink lots of pop and I am fat.
WAAAAAAAAAA!
Posted by Mike | May 21, 2008 9:00 AM
Oh no! What if you work IT FOR the government?! I'm going to be a whale this time next year. =(
Posted by drew | May 21, 2008 9:46 AM
Back in August 2006, I got fed up with being 210 pounds! I started dieting and going to the gym 4 days a week. I dropped down to 172 and have been adding muscle thanks to my workouts and now I'm back up to 180. You can lose weight if you're ready and have the motivation to do so! Don't be the statistic mentioned in the article!
Posted by Richard H | May 21, 2008 2:05 PM
I'm in the UK - but I think it's pretty much the same situation here. Since finishing uni and working the last 3 years, I've slowly been getting bigger, until a few weeks ago.
I decided that I would take advantage of the free gym here on lunch breaks, it's not a big one, just a room with a few machines in it and aircon, but no windows. Now I spend my lunch breaks on the cycle machine doing about 10k in 30 minutes every day, it gives me more energy in the afternoon, curbs my appetite for snacks while working, and I'm slowly losing weight again.
Best thing is, gives my eyes and body a rest from being hunched over my PC from start to end of my work day. Maybe companies with weight problems should stick some cycle machines in a room with air-con, and give the employee's rewards for the number of km they cycle per week, like a free lunch on last friday of every month?? :) Maybe even stick a TV in there too... at least give them the option of exercising.
Posted by Law | May 22, 2008 5:30 AM
And how much is a pound in kilograms? Or is it in grams?
Posted by Bill | May 27, 2008 10:58 PM
Oh Laura! So glad to hear you are launching into a new and exciting phase of your life. So very sad to hear you are retiring this blog as you retire- perfectly understandable, but a loss of a voice that was able to articulate what I was thinking, even better than I was thinking it... and often earlier than I'd worked it out for myself.
Posted by tila nguyen | June 22, 2008 6:48 AM
There are many ways to boost your chances of living a happy, healthy life. Breakfast eaters are champions of good health. Research shows people who have a morning meal tend to take in more vitamins and minerals, and less fat and cholesterol. The result is often a leaner body, lower cholesterol count, and less chance of overeating.
Posted by Pharmacy | August 7, 2008 1:15 AM