Friday Funny: The Dadbod – The Lifestyle Fat Fad Is A Workplace Woe

Posted by Heidi Schwartz

The dad bod before and after picture.
Photo: Buzzfeed.

There are dadbods everywhere—and this is suddenly a socially acceptable fad (of course, attitudes about the the mombod have not changed). Not only is the dadbod socially acceptable, it’s now a trending topic and all the rage—just in time for summer!

By redefining the beach body, dadbods may have gone from flab to fab. However, that doesn’t change the medical fact that 57% of workers feel they are overweight (according to a recently released survey from CareerBuilder.com).

Indeed, the workplace has long been an enabler of Americans’ ever-expanding waistlines, and the stresses associated with full-time employment will likely continue to contribute to the problem. And to make matters worse, 42% of workers say they’ve gained weight in their present job, up from 39% last year.

Job Stress = Weight Gain

The survey reveals a strong correlation between on-the-job stress levels and overweight workers. Fewer than half of workers (47%) with extremely low stress levels feel they are overweight (compared to 70% of workers with extremely high stress levels). Meaning, workers with extremely high on-the-job stress are 49% more likely to say they’re overweight than workers with extremely low stress.

When asked what they felt contributed to their weight gain at their current job, 37% of workers said “eating because of stress,” and 43% said they are “too tired from work to exercise.”

“The health of a company’s workforce is a paramount issue for many employers, as neglecting it can significantly dampen workplace morale and productivity,” said Rosemary Haefner, chief human resources officer at CareerBuilder. “There’s a clear incentive to make wellness and work-life balance a focus of organizational culture, and we’re encouraged to see many companies making them a priority year-after-year.”

More than one in four U.S. workers (27%) have access to employer sponsored wellness benefits, including onsite workout facilities and gym passes, but 63% of this group does not take advantage of them.

Who Is Adding Extra Notches To The Belt?

In workers’ minds, sedentary behavior is seen as the leading culprit behind workplace weight gain. Fifty-six percent said “sitting at the desk most of the day” contributed to the weight gain at their present job. In fact, workers in desk or office-based jobs are more likely to be gaining weight at their present job:

  • Professional & Business Services (this includes facility managers): 51%
  • IT: 48%
  • Financial Services: 45%
  • Health Care: 45%
  • Sales: 41%
  • Leisure & Hospitality: 39%
  • Manufacturing 39%
  • Retail: 35%

Gender: Sorry women, but those of you with mombods (46%) are more likely to report gaining weight at your present jobs than men (38%).

Age: Workers in the middle of their careers appear more prone to weight gain than younger or mature workers. Forty-five percent of workers age 35-54 reported gaining weight at their present job, compared to 38% of workers age 18-34 and 39% of workers 55+.

Avoid The Dad Or Mom Bod

Workers who managed to lose weight at their current job tend to snack and eat out less, exercise more and take advantage of their employers’ wellness benefits. Even leaving your desk for lunch may encourage healthier habits. In the end, you’ll be healthier and more productive in the workplace without having the extra baggage of a dadbod or mombod.