Tech workers shun physical activity, study reveals

IT workers are among the most inactive and have among the poorest diets among professional groups ... in the U.K. at least, according to a recent survey. Meanwhile, in Canada a soon-to-be launched product is being touted as the prescription for workplace wellness.
11/24/2009 5:00:00 AM By: Joaquim P. Menezes

IT workers in the UK, have the dubious distinction of being the most inactive among various professional groups in the country.

In a recent nationwide survey fewer than one in five tech workers polled met UK government guidelines of exercising for 30-minutes at least five times a week. The survey of 1,734 British workers was conducted by weight loss agency Fat Free Fitness.

In Canada these guidelines are similar.

Canada's Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living recommends Canadians get at least 60 minutes of light physical activity every day (for example, light walking, easy gardening) to stay healthy or improve health. (However, if the intensity of the activities is increased, less overall time is required).

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"If all Canadians followed current recommendations for physical activity, 33 per cent of all deaths related to coronary heart disease, 25 per cent of deaths related to stroke, 20 per cent of deaths related to type 2 diabetes, and 20 per cent of deaths related to hypertension could be avoided," says a position statement issued by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada in June 2009.

Among tech workers, inactivity is often compounded by a poor diet, as the UK study indicates.

A mere 14 per cent of tech workers polled said they eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables.

Caffeine consumption of British IT workers is also extremely high. Most said they drank more than 10 cups of coffee a day.

Overall, the survey found 63 per cent of UK residents fail to meet the activity guidelines, with the average person being active for just 90 minutes a week.

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