Well the British Heart Foundation wishes to find out. More
than 4,000 workers are taking part in a new two-year study
to find out the best ways to make the nation healthier and
more active.
The Well at Work project will involve 47 workplaces across
England who will trial various health interventions such
as group exercise activities and weight loss clubs.
The £1.6 million research programme, funded by the
Department of Health, Sport England and the Big Lottery Fund,
is part of efforts to deliver the pledges made in the Government's
Public Health White Paper.
Researchers want to find out which changes in and around
the workplace can improve people's health and how making
these changes can influence workers' lifestyles.
Physical inactivity is one of the leading causes of death
and disability in the world, and a major risk factor for
heart disease.
The Department of Health has estimated that physical inactivity
is linked with a £8.2 billion a year cost to the UK
economy.
The project will look at ways of increasing physical activity,
but will also focus on help to give up smoking and improve
diet.
Measures being tested include slowing down lifts to encourage
workers to take the stairs and improving canteen menus and
reviewing the content of vending machines.
Nicki Cooper, head of Education at the BHF, said: "Most
of us spend about 60% of our waking hours at the workplace.
If all you do during those hours is sit at a desk, drive
a vehicle, or operate machinery - moving only to grab an
occasional cup of tea or a biscuit - then you are losing
a huge chunk of the day to inactivity.
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