More Female Librarians Overweight than Businesswomen
According to a few paragraphs in this Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article, economist Josephine Olson of the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh discovered female librarians are more likely to be overweight than women in business in a study she conducted in 1988. One quote in particular is causing a bit of a discussion among some librarians:
"Olson said that study suggested that weight might influence what careers people choose — perhaps obese librarians were not confident enough to pursue business careers."
On Newslib, Mike Meiners, Director of News Research at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, pointed out that running a library is a lot like running a business. “I’m so upset I think I’ll go have a donut,” he quipped.
(Yes, I’m posting the quote with permission.)
(No, I’m not trying to offend anyone who might possibly be even the slightest bit overweight.)
February 12th, 2005 at 2:28 pm
Most library workers I know (myself included) put on weight after working in a library for some time, and I think the workplace culture of some libraries encourages weight gain. At all of the libraries where I have worked, people bring in food to share almost everyday, and there are numerous parties, social events, and meetings that involve food. Patrons sometimes bring in treats as well. All of this snacking combined with a sometimes sedentary job can quickly lead to weight gain.
Since I have to watch my diet more closely now, I have noticed how much food there is in my workplace on a regular basis. I have also noticed how insulted people become when you refuse cheesecake, donuts, and conversation hearts.
I wonder if it is different for lone librarians or librarians working in non-library settings?
February 12th, 2005 at 3:18 pm
Hey v,
Those are good points. I’ve noticed that many of the library functions I attend involve food. Several of the committees I’m on go for dinner or some kind of refreshment after the meetings. Food is great for encouraging people to come together. I recognize that it can be difficult for some people, though, because of special diets, eating disorders and limited budgets.
I’m one of the primary sources of candy in my office. I usually have a supply because I’m isolated, most of the work I do isn’t with people in my office, and I don’t often interact with my coworkers in the normal course of my work and their work. It’s one way to reach out to them. Some of them whom I wouldn’t see otherwise stop by my office a few times a week.
A few of my coworkers pay close attention to their waistlines. I try to be respectful of that and bring in nuts and fruit to supplement the candy supply. One of my duties used to be to organize the monthly birthday party in the office. (This practice sort of died.) I’d usually have to get two cakes to feed everyone, so I started getting one sweet thing and one healthier dessert–like fruit salad–for a while. A few people in the office really like chocolate and sweets, so I was amazed when the fruit salad disappeared quickly and the cake lingered long into the afternoon.
It’s somewhat of a tradition, too, for people to bring treats back from trips to share with the office.
Other than my dwindling candy stash, we don’t have a regular supply of treats.
You’re right: when people work alone, it might be much easier to cut out the supply of extra food.