Career driven women more likely to neglect health needs and put on weight

In a study investigating the impact of how employment status and working hours impact weight, researchers found that women who worked more than 35 hours per week were more likely to gain weight, drink and smoke.

Researchers believe that women who spend a lot of time in the office are more likely to sacrifice the time needed to make healthy home cooked meals and participate in exercise, in order to put in more working hours.

Dr Nicole Au from the Centre for Health and Economics at Monash University in Melbourne analysed 9,276 women aged between 45 and 50 over a two-year period.

The results showed that around 55 per cent of participants put on weight during this time, with the average female gaining around 1.5 per cent of her initial body weight.

Furthermore, the researchers also found that those most likely to experience weight gain were working more than 35 hours per week. Commenting on these findings Dr Au said: “Longer work hours may reduce the time spent preparing home-cooked meals, exercising and sleeping which are risk factors for obesity.”

The research in question has been published in the International Journal of Obesity, and interestingly also revealed that women who spent more than 49 hours in the office a week were more likely to have a smoking or drinking habit.

If you are working long hours and you feel that your diet and exercise regime are currently being neglected then it may be worth contacting a nutritionist. A nutritionist will be able to help you establish your goals in terms of weight and physical activity, and will then help you to develop a suitable and sustainable programme to help you reach them.

A nutritionist will be able to take into account your work regime and overall lifestyle and will provide you with tips and guidance about quick and easy meals and healthy on the go snacks so that you don’t need to stray from your new healthy lifestyle.

Visit our Healthy Eating page for further information. 

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