Women more likely to turn to high-fat, high-sugar foods when working late
Working long hours is bad for women’s health, according to a new study that found women are more likely than men to snack on junk food, smoke, stop exercising and consume caffeine when they work late.
The study, published by Britain’s Economic and Social Research Council, didn’t analyze why the sexes respond differently to working late. However, lead researcher Dr. Daryl O’Connor said it was likely women were at higher risk because they have more obligations outside the workplace.
Researchers also examined emotional eating. People who eat for psychological comfort feel anxious about themselves, or their situation, and turn to food as an escape from these feelings, stated the study.
The study found that both men and women eat to calm their nerves, but women are more likely to be emotional eaters.
This increased likelihood to be an emotional eater partially explains why women are eating high-sugar and high-fat foods when they work long hours, said O’Connor.
The two-year study analyzed the eating patterns of 422 participants, 193 male and 229 female. Participants kept diaries documenting what they ate and their daily stresses.
The study, published by Britain’s Economic and Social Research Council, didn’t analyze why the sexes respond differently to working late. However, lead researcher Dr. Daryl O’Connor said it was likely women were at higher risk because they have more obligations outside the workplace.
Researchers also examined emotional eating. People who eat for psychological comfort feel anxious about themselves, or their situation, and turn to food as an escape from these feelings, stated the study.
The study found that both men and women eat to calm their nerves, but women are more likely to be emotional eaters.
This increased likelihood to be an emotional eater partially explains why women are eating high-sugar and high-fat foods when they work long hours, said O’Connor.
The two-year study analyzed the eating patterns of 422 participants, 193 male and 229 female. Participants kept diaries documenting what they ate and their daily stresses.
