Overweight IT managers risking their health

Overweight IT managers are risking their health by smoking and failing to exercise, but they are at least staying off the booze, according to a Bupa study.

The survey of health-assessment data collected by Bupa over the last year found that almost two-thirds (61 percent) of senior employees in the technology sector are overweight, with a body mass index score of over 25.

One of the reasons for this is a lack of exercise. Almost a quarter admitted that, despite spending most of their day behind a desk, they still don't exercise even once a week.

One in 10 technology managers also admitted to smoking.

Bupa warned that IT managers are increasing their risk of heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and some cancers.

But Bupa did find that managers are not turning to drink to deal with a stressful day at the office, with only four percent of those assessed drinking at a level that could damage their health — 28 units a week for men and 21 units for women.

The Bupa study is based on data from health assessments undertaken by more than 20,000 employees through Bupa corporate healthcare schemes between July 2006 and June 2007 in the technology and software sector.