Govt: Employers should fight obesity

Thu 24 Jul 2008 at 3:36 PM

The government has called on employers to join retailers and local authorities to fight obesity.

Health secretary Alan Johnson told an event organised by think-tank, The Fabian Society, the country needs a broad partnership to bring about real change.

He said: "We need a national movement that will bring about a fundamental change in the way we live our lives."

Earlier this year he launched "Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives," a £372 million initiative aimed at bringing people together to support health at work.

Jobs in call centres and offices are by their nature, sedentary. However, workers can increase their activity levels by walking to the office, taking the stairs instead of the lift and getting out for lunch.

"It is not the government's role to hector or lecture people, but we do have a duty to support them in leading healthier lifestyles. This will only succeed if the problem is recognised, owned and addressed in every part of society," Mr Johnson said previously.

Randstad employment bureau specialises in placing applicants in call centre jobs in Birmingham, Liverpool, Cardiff and Leicester.