Is your job making you fat?

After this year's particularly harsh winter, everybody's looking forward to warmer temperatures as summer now approaches but if the extended cold season extended your clothing size as well, you may be looking for the culprit as you prepare for vacations and swimsuit season. Your weight, your work For some, the blame of gaining weight may fall on their work. According to a new CareerBuilder survey, more than half of workers (55%) categorize themselves as overweight, on par with last year, and what's more, 39% say they've gained weight at their current job, with 21% putting on more than 10 pounds and 9% putting on more than 20 pounds. But for others, work may be causing them to slim down or help manage their weight. Sixteen percent report they have actually lost weight at their job, while 45 percent say their weight stayed the same. The study shows that physical fitness may have some influence on how people are treated at the office. Nearly one in five workers (18%) feel that people who are thin and fit are shown more favoritism in their workplace. Who's more likely to gain? While your weight and health are determined by a variety of factors, the survey did reveal some trends in who's more likely to put on weight, including: Management Some 44% of people in management roles have gained weight in their current job, compared to 38% of people in non-management roles. Workers ages 35 and up Seasoned workers are more likely to report tipping the scales in their current position, with 40% of workers ages 35 and older gaining weight, compared to 36% of those under 35 years of age. Eighteen to 24 year olds were the least likely, with 30% saying they put on extra pounds. Women Some 46% of female workers say they've gained weight on the job, compared to 33% of their male counterparts. Men are also more likely to exercise on a consistent basis, with 59% regularly going to the gym compared to 56% of women. IT professionals Certain industries are more prone to weight gain, with information technology and government leading the pack at 50% and 48%*, respectively. Other industries that outpaced the national average for weight gain include financial services at 46%, health care at 42% and professional/business services at 42%. Workers in the West Those in the West were the most likely to pack on pounds, with 44% saying they've put on weight at their current job. They are followed by the Northeast (40%), the South (37%) and the Midwest (37%). Tips for staying fit at work: For those looking to shed some pounds this summer, CareerBuilder experts offered the following suggestions: Avoid too many treats. Some 21% of workers who have gained weight on the job blame part of it on coworkers who bring treats into the office. Don't be afraid to politely decline when someone is passing around sweets. It's good practice to have a set of personal rules regarding treats in the office, such as a per-week limit or an "only Friday" policy. Make exercise a part of your routine. Some 42% of workers don't exercise regularly, with 13% not exercising at all. Try sneaking a workout into your daily routine by getting off the bus or subway a stop early, working at a standing desk or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Get up. It's all too common in the modern office setting for people to send an email or instant message rather than get up and walk across the room. When you have the opportunity to stretch out your legs, take it! Pack a lunch. Some 28% of employees who gained weight in their current job say that one of the main culprits is regularly eating out. Packing your own lunch the night before allows you to take better control of your portion sizes, not to mention it helps you avoid impulse decisions that often lead to less-healthy fast food. Look into perks and benefits. More than 1 in 4 workers (28%) say their companies provide gym memberships or other wellness benefits, but nearly one in ten workers (9%) say they don't know whether their company offers such perks. Check with your human resources department to make sure you're taking full advantage of what's offered.