For some reason, this came as a surprise to us. But when we actually started thinking about it, it does make perfect sense!
The Wall Street Journal took a look at travel and obesity, coming to the conclusion that frequent travelers are twice as likely to be obese:
According to a recent Columbia University study cited by The Journal, frequent business travelers–those who log 21 or more days away from home a month–are 92 percent more likely to be obese than workers who travel only one to six days per month. Those who travel a moderate amount–14 to 20 days–have a 13 percent greater risk of obesity than light travelers.
A host of factors drive road warriors’ waists outward: lack of exercise, lack of sleep, high-calorie restaurant meals, stress, and sedentariness (especially for those stuck in a car all day). Heavy travelers were also 260 percent more likely to self-report their health as fair to poor than light travelers. They also tend to have high blood pressure and low levels of good cholesterol, though those difference were less pronounced. The irony of this story, though, is how airlines treat the passengers they fatten up: airlines now and then create a stir by charging more for passengers who can’t fit into regular seats.
When we actually sat down to think about it after our surprise, we came to a lot of the same reasons as the research found: eating out, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, and stress.
If you travel, you have to make sure to take care of yourself. Allow more time for sleep, and make sure you make use of your hotel’s gym… and try and skip the vending machines and fast foods if you can!
[Image via AP Images.]