WORKERS should go spinning and do yoga in their lunch breaks to beat the battle of the bulge, health chiefs said.
The official guidance on being more active in everyday life also urges bosses to encourage staff to cycle to work, take the stairs rather than lifts and stand up during meetings.
1
Companies could also provide cut-price gym memberships and showers for cyclists, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) stated.
Upping exercise boosts mental and physical health and could cut sickness levels and make staff happier, the watchdog said.
Office for National Statistics figures show that more than 131 million sick days were taken in 2017, including 13million due to stress, depression or anxiety, while almost two-thirds of Brits are overweight or obese.
BEAT THE BULGE
Professor Gillian Leng (CORR), of NICE, said: “If the United Kingdom’s 5.7 million small and medium-sized businesses encouraged their workforce to be more active, they are more likely to reap the benefits of having engaged employees who are more productive and are less likely to take time off sick.
“As a society we are facing an obesity crisis caused in part by people not exercising enough.”
“We need people to change their lifestyle and to take more exercise.”
“If they can do this during the working day, not only will they benefit, but so too will their employers and the NHS. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
TUC boss Frances O’Grady said: “Having healthy and happy staff is good for business.”
Sex Secrets
Prostitute who earns £2,000 a week reveals the average penis size … and how much she enjoys work
A SILENT KILLER
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson died of a ‘perforated ulcer and peritonitis’ – but do you know the symptoms?
CHIN UP
The truth about YOUR double chin, what’s really causing it – and the DAFT exercises that can help banish it
SURVIVED BY SKIN OF HER TEETH
Mum who nearly died from tooth abscess was on dentist waiting list for TWO YEARS
Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, of the Royal College of GPs, said: “We would urge employers to seek to swiftly implement these recommendations in some capacity as ultimately, a healthy workforce will be a more productive, and hopefully happier one.”
The guidance, which is part of a wider drive to get Britons thinner and fitter, also recommends that kids walk, cycle or scooter to school, pedestrians, cyclists and bus passengers be given “highest priority” on busy commuting routes and more benches be put along streets popular with those going out for a stroll.
