55 Pct of India's IT Workforce Have Lifestyle Disorders

Bangalore: Nearly 55 percent of young workforce engaged in India’s IT and ITES sector are stricken with lifestyle disorders due to unhealthy eating habits, hectic work schedules, tight deadlines, irregular and associated stress, says a survey by industry body - Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

More than half of the respondents said that due to 24x7 working environment and irregular food timings they directly place orders to fast food outlets, street food vendors and roadside eateries operating outside their offices serving ready to eat high calorie processed food items like noodles, burgers, pizza, chaat, and fried stuff like samosas along with aerated drinks, and coffee, etc.

The study revealed "Frequent snack breaks during office hours coupled with consumption of greasy, spicy food is leading to health problems like diabetes, hypertension, depression, anxiety and cardiovascular diseases. Besides, nutritional value of food remains last on the mind of employees when they are hungry," as reported by Times of India.

The survey which was carried out at Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Gurgaon, Noida and Pune between August and October last year ascertained the extent of junk food addiction among BPO techies in the country. Around 2,000 young men and 1000 women were interviewed by ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation (ASDF).