ABSTRACT
In the workplace setting there are two fundamental approaches which could be applied to obesity management, either singly or in combination. Which to adopt depends on financial resources and on the available skill mix. A combination of the two approaches is ideal but can be more expensive. From a public health perspective, the former is the more attractive as it is primary prevention of obesity rather than secondary prevention of the complications of the condition. Depending on budget, commitment and company ethos, fundamental changes to workplace and work design can be undertaken. Trying to integrate better nutrition and increase physical activity into daily work and presence at the workplace is likely to be far more effective than bolt-on healthy eating campaigns. In healthcare, interventions to improve physical activity aimed at the work task could include: providing cycles to get around hospital sites and having ‘park and use’ schemes.
