Cecily O'Connor 
RedwoodAge.com

Baby boomers are more likely to beat a snack attack at work than younger generations. 

But their efforts to eat healthy foods and trim portions during the workday may not be enough to curb the soaring obesity rate. 

With chip- and soda-stocked vending machines, there can be a lot of temptations at work. Almost three-quarters of employees eat an unhealthy snack such as chips or candy at work at least once a week, and a little more than a quarter consume an unhealthy snack three or more times a week, according to a new study by Nationwide Better Health, a health management company.

Compared to other generations, boomers are less likely to eat bad foods on the job. About 9 percent of adults 45 and older eat an unhealthy snack more than five times a week. Thirteen percent of Gen X'ers, aged 28 to 44, will partake in potato chips more than five times a week, compared to 22 percent of Gen Y'ers, aged 18 to 27. 

Disconnect
Despite snacking, employees of all ages generally believe they are making healthy choices at work and remaining active during the day, the survey said. 

However, separate studies show a strong disconnect between their eating perceptions versus the reality of a growing obesity problem. Over the next eight years, about 75 percent of U.S. adults will be considered overweight, according to a recent study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The problem is particularly worrisome for the 78 million U.S. baby boomers who grew up on a diet of drive-in burgers, processed food and super-sized portions. Four out of five American boomers are considered overweight.

Aside from the physical strain - obesity contributes to heart failure, stroke and diabetes - the burdensome weight of the boomer population could create problems in the workplace. Obese employees typically miss work almost twice as much as other workers, costing employers about $4 billion annually in lost productivity, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Obesity, of course, occurs when an individual has too much excess body fat. It is usually measured by a person's body mass index (BMI), which takes into consideration height with weight. An individual with a BMI of 25 or above, for example, is considered overweight. Obesity starts at a BMI of 30. Determine your BMI. 

Stress Eating
Part of the weight problem stems from the sedentary nature of some jobs. More than one-third of employees said their jobs require them to remain at their desks for the majority of the day. Gen X spent the most time at their desks, with 40 percent sitting the majority of the workday, while 30 percent of boomers and 27 percent of Gen Y said they spent their days at their desks.  

Work-related stress also leads to bad eating habits. Gen X was the most likely to allow stress to affect their diets, with 45 percent saying their jobs impacted their eating choices. About 35 percent of Gen Y and 32 percent of boomers felt the same.

Going forward, employers play a bigger part in curbing obesity rates by promoting a healthy culture. Currently, 42 percent of workers are provided with healthy food selections in their cafeterias or vending machines.

“Companies can provide resources that encourage their employees to eat well, stay active and, in short, live the best life possible,” said Dr. Neil Gordon, a preventive medicine physician and Nationwide Better Health’s chief medical and science officer. “These resources could not only help reduce health care spending for both employees and employers, but they could also help improve productivity.”

That said, many workers want to feel better about their nutrition and lifestyle, and would welcome more education and support from employers. About 66 percent say they would participate in gym memberships, nutrition education and weight management programs if their employer offered them.

In the meantime, Nationwide suggested these steps to ward off the munchies and stay more fit at work:

• Try healthy snacks with less than 100 calories and no more than 2 grams of fat. Pack a small piece of fruit, whole wheat crackers or low-fat yogurt.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator, wear a pedometer to track the daily number of steps or stand up when talking on the phone. Even small activities can burn calories.
• Take a break. You'll clear your head and be able to put things in perspective and avoid overeating while at your desk.
• Find community resources, such as a walking club or recreational league sports teams. Or start one at work.