Is your workplace making you fat?

According to Eric A Finklestein, author of Fattening of America, it is more difficult for an office worker to burn off the extra calories they are consuming at work. Statistics found that an average 11 stone person burns off 67% more calories an hour on a leisurely walk than they do sitting at an office desk. Health experts at Oxford University have predicted that in 20 years time, 86% of men and 70% of women will be overweight, meanwhile VieLife, a health and well being consultancy, have estimated that healthy employees can be up to 20% more productive than those who are unhealthy. Michael Pollan, author of In Defence Food, believes that it is the information on the packaging that is causing the problem: "Most of the nutritional advice we've received over the last half century…has actually made us less healthy and considerably fatter." Meanwhile Tracey Meade, Searcy's operations director, went on to explain that people are much more aware of food and their diet and have therefore changed its own policies: "We try to use local suppliers and we like to know the name of the farm that the meat comes from." According to the study, employees do want to be healthy. Some 78% of those offered free food eat it and 70% take advantage of a canteen selling healthy food. This research is also supported by other findings such as a study by Eurest, the provider of food and support services in the UK, which found that 33% of workers would pay more for healthy food and drink. One in 10 would pay more for organic, and 61% of workers said they would be willing to pay more for Fairtrade, local or organic products. Therefore, by providing healthier options in the canteen and facilities that encourages the employees to take up exercise, (whether that be providing gym membership or installing showers so that employees can cycle to work,) you could secure a healthier and more effective workforce. By Jocelyn Bass