Is your job making you fat?
March 19, 2012
The results of a new study may give some working moms a reason to finally make a move to pursue their dream of going to college to pursue a bachelor's degree.
Researchers from Finland found that women who are unsatisfied with their jobs and who are experiencing occupational burnout are more likely to have a habit of "emotional" eating than those who are satisfied with their jobs. In addition to eating when they're feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed about their work situation, these women were also more prone to "uncontrolled" eating, which is defined as the feeling that you're always hungry or can't stop eating until all the food is gone.
Quite literally, the study implies that women who are unsatisfied with their jobs could be getting fat because of their work situation. At the very least, they may be taking part in an unhealthy type of eating habit - emotional eating.
For the study, which is published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers studied the eating habits of 230 Finnish women between the ages of 30 and 55 for a period of one year. The women, who were all employed, were questioned about their job satisfaction and eating habits at the beginning of the study.
In all, according to Reuters, 22 percent reported some burnout because of their jobs. As a group, these individuals were found to do more emotional and uncontrolled eating compared to those who were happier with their jobs.
Being unhappy with a job is enough to inspire some to make a change. However, many people feel that they don't have the skills or education to find a job that they really like. These individuals may benefit from going back to school to either begin or finish a degree program.
Mothers who want to pursue a bachelor's degree should know that they can often do so on a part-time basis and can choose from a traditional brick-and-mortar learning institution or an online program, which allows them to complete coursework when it's convenient for them.
In addition, the cost of getting a degree shouldn't be a deterrent. Moms can get help paying for college by applying for various grants for parents, scholarships for mothers, single mother scholarships and other financial aid.
