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IT Workers Weigh In on Health Habits

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 […]

Written By: Pedro Pereira

May 16, 2008

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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.

IT Workers Weigh In on Health Habits

Pedro Pereira

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