Have you recently started a new job? Have you noticed that your sex drive has diminished and that your appetite has increased? It may not be as far-fetched as it sounds.
A new Brazilian study has found that people who work in air conditioning pick up an average of 2 kg per year, and have only half the libido they had when they were unemployed or worked outdoors.
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"We were initially going to do our study on weight gain and sedentary office work, when we noticed that there was a marked correlation between weight gain and those workers who worked in air conditioning," according to lead researcher Dr Pedro Sirocco, from the Sao Paolo Institute of Uncritical Research.
The study participants
The study, spanning seven countries in South America, involved 2 934 men and 3 011 women, all of whom were office workers in corporations that employed more than 50 workers. None of these workers had been in their jobs for more than five years and all were between the ages of 20 and 30.
The detailed questionnaire included questions on working conditions, private life, sexual habits, social habits and diet.
"One of the junior data processors picked up the correlation between the presence of air conditioning and weight gain," according to Sirocco. "On further processing of the data, it was also found that those working in air conditioned offices, had sex 1,6 times less often than their counterparts who either worked outdoors or in offices that had no air conditioning.
Link to stress
"This obviously requires further investigation, but it is thought that there might be a link between weight gain and unwillingness to leave cool air conditioned buildings over lunch time to go for a walk. Another possible connection is between large corporations and the presence of canteens, that are generally known for serving large helpings, often of very unhealthy food."
"We also surmise that there might be a link between diminishing libido and the stress levels experienced when working for big corporations that have air conditioning, and, for instance being outdoors picking apples."
"But these are merely premises and will be investigated when additional funding comes through," according to Sirocco.
Three air conditioning companies contacted by Health 24, declined to comment. And so they should, because it is, after all, April Fool's Day. - (Susan Erasmus, Health24, updated March 2008)
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