17/11/2009

IT workers are the unhealthiest in the UK, according to a recent survey.

Less than one in five people employed in the tech sector said that they met government targets of doing at least five 30-minute exercise sessions a week, according to the study by weight loss agency Fat Free Fitness.

This was coupled with most IT workers admitting having a poor diet. Only 14 per cent say that they ate at least five daily portions of fruit and vegetables and most admitting to drinking more than ten cups of coffee a day.

Rich Leigh, a personal trainer and founder of Fat Free Fitness, said that the government should be doing more to encourage employers and workers to be more active.

He added: 'There is clearly a correlation between sitting at a desk or wheel all day and how active you're likely to be. People are leaving gyms and becoming less active and it's because on the whole, people can't afford them. Incentivise exercise by funding small business gym discounts and I guarantee healthier workers.'

Receptionists and sales personnel were also at the bottom of the survey's tables, with both sectors showing less than 30 per cent meeting government targets for exercise.

Somewhat unsurprisingly, fitness instructors and manual labourers were found to be the most active, with nine in ten saying that they were regularly active.