So stated the results of an online survey of 278 employees held for this newspaper two weeks ago by Newcom Research & Consultancy. The poll was prompted by an increasing concern of government and employers about the social and economic consequences of unhealthy Dutchmen. Last month, the university started offering free exercise and fitness facilities to employees.
Three-quarters of the UT employees agree that the increasingly unhealthy lifestyle of the average Dutchman is becoming a social problem. 19 percent of the employees worry about their own unhealthy lifestyle. About the same percentage (17 percent) know they eat too much fat, 14 percent eat too few vegetables and 22 percent does not exercise during leisure time. Fruit consumption is substandard for 31 percent of employees.
As an employer, the UT is allowed to concern itself with the physical condition of its employees, according to 54 percent of the survey respondents. 19 percent disagree. 78 percent of UT staff think the exercise and fitness programs offered by the university are a `good initiative,' but only 28 percent actually participate in them. Of those who do not participate, 35 percent prefer exercising in their spare time, 23 percent have no time to exercise and one percent are not allowed to participate by their boss.
The Faculty of Business & Technology is by the far the most athletic: almost all of its employees exercise in their free time. Employees of Engineering Technology and Science Technology exercise significantly less after hours (respectively 67 and 68 percent).
Scientific personnel generally exercise a bit more than support staff: 82 percent of the scientific staff do sports in their free time versus 76 percent of support staff. Women participate in more athletic activities than men: 82 to 75 percent. Overall, employees exercise an average of 3.3 hours a week in their spare time.
Trans. Jeroen Latour
