UK workers are piling on the pounds in subsidised
workplace canteens because they cannot resist unhealthy foods,
according to a survey by recruitment group
Pertemps.
A survey of 500 workers revealed that:
- 56% ate chips with their lunch at least once a week
- 36% took consolation in stodgy puddings
- 34% ranked burgers and fry-ups as the most common
choices.
Despite the widespread availability of vegetarian dishes and
low-calorie foods, workers are not choosing the healthy
option.
Of those surveyed, 58% said they eat in the staff canteen every
day. Convenience (56%) and the subsidised cost (30%) lunches were
cited as the main reasons for this. Ten per cent of workers said
they rely on the canteen to provide their main meal of the
day.
Janet McGlaughlin, a director at Pertemps, said, "More workers are
turning their lunchtime meal into the main meal of the day. After a
long day in the office, workers do not want to cook at home. The
longer people work, the more difficult it is for them to find time
for exercise and healthy living. It is no surprise that as working
hours are lengthening, waistbands are broadening.
"It should be a major concern to businesses that people may be
storing up health problems for later in life by failing to adopt a
healthy lifestyle."
Pertemps chairman Tim Watts said, "It sounds difficult, but it only
takes a few slight adjustments to your daily routine to make a big
difference."
