Croydon Council staff have been told to go on a Weight Watchers course after more than half were deemed too fat.
Of around 70 workers tested 52 per cent had a high Body Mass Index, while 31 per cent were found to be suffering from high blood pressure.
The voluntary tests were carried out by staff from Fusion Lifestyle, which runs the local authority's leisure centres.
Theresa Dent-Gater, the council's organisational health coordinator, said: "The activity was a really positive one; staff were delighted to be able to have a health check on their lunch break without visiting a doctor. Many of our staff have desk-based jobs and work under pressure, so to give them an opportunity to have a check-up and get some advice is really valuable. We were also able to signpost those who needed it to other services within the council, such as our Weight Watchers group. We look forward to welcoming the team from Fusion back for a follow-up visit later in the year."
Nigel Court, divisional business manager for Fusion Lifestyle, said; "We are dedicated to ensuring that members of Croydon's community have an opportunity for a healthier lifestyle. By offering these health checks, we can identify the needs of each individual and recommend the best remedial action for them – to have the opportunity to do this on a large scale within Croydon Council was fantastic."
Of around 70 workers tested 52 per cent had a high Body Mass Index, while 31 per cent were found to be suffering from high blood pressure.
The voluntary tests were carried out by staff from Fusion Lifestyle, which runs the local authority's leisure centres.
Theresa Dent-Gater, the council's organisational health coordinator, said: "The activity was a really positive one; staff were delighted to be able to have a health check on their lunch break without visiting a doctor. Many of our staff have desk-based jobs and work under pressure, so to give them an opportunity to have a check-up and get some advice is really valuable. We were also able to signpost those who needed it to other services within the council, such as our Weight Watchers group. We look forward to welcoming the team from Fusion back for a follow-up visit later in the year."
Nigel Court, divisional business manager for Fusion Lifestyle, said; "We are dedicated to ensuring that members of Croydon's community have an opportunity for a healthier lifestyle. By offering these health checks, we can identify the needs of each individual and recommend the best remedial action for them – to have the opportunity to do this on a large scale within Croydon Council was fantastic."
