More than half (52%) of respondents never leave the office at lunchtime, according to research by the National Charity Partnership, a collaboration between the British Heart Foundation, Diabetes UK, and Tesco.
The survey of 2,000 employees also found that 24% of respondents regularly work through their lunch breaks.
The research also found:
- 32% of respondents claim that heavy workloads stop them from leaving their desks at lunchtime, 14% blame workplace culture, and 13% admit stress stops them from leaving the office over lunch.
- 91% of respondents believe that being outside makes them feel healthier or more positive.
- 5% of respondents do something active at lunchtime, such as going to the gym or going for a walk.
- 23% of respondents confess to simply not being bothered to be active at lunchtime.
Babs Evans, head of prevention at the National Charity Partnership, said: “When you’re under pressure at work, it’s easy to forego a lunch break and instead grab a quick bite at your desk, but this isn’t healthy.
“Work-related stress puts a strain on your mental wellbeing and can have a knock-on effect on your physical health. People under too much pressure at work are more likely to eat unhealthily and stop being active: behaviours which are linked to a number of health conditions.
“Even just a 10-minute break away from your desk to go for a walk and clear your head can help to make a big difference with stress relief, which in turn is good for your health.”