Forget the gym, the office is the place to get fit

FORGET the gym: get fit in the office. That's the latest big idea from the Government's health experts as they attempt to tackle Scotland's obesity crisis.

The most interesting aspect of the plan involves employers deliberately moving photocopiers, water coolers and other office equipment further away from workers' desks to make them walk further each day.

The guidance, issued by NHS Health Scotland, also recommends businesses organise health checks for employees and help them set personal goals on how far they walk or cycle to work each day.

Dr Andrew Tannahill, head of evidence for action at NHS Health Scotland, said the guidance was aimed at encouraging workers to move around during office hours rather than "sitting on the spot".

But business leaders were sceptical about the move and described some of the measures as "annoying".

According to the guidance, 'Workplace Health Promotion: how to encourage employees to be physically active', employers in organisations of all sizes should consider how to help staff take more exercise.

The recommendations include:

&149 Move printers and watercoolers away from desks to make staff walk further;

&149 Encourage staff to walk to meetings at other locations;

&149 Health checks for all employees which include checking physical activity levels;

&149 Strategic signs encouraging workers to use stairs, not lifts; and

• Encouraging staff to go for short walks during breaks.

It also adds that staff should be encouraged to walk or cycle to work by developing a travel plan. The guidance applies to all large, medium-sized and small organisations in the public and private sector.

Tannahill said: "This is aimed at helping employers and staff to make the most of workplace activities.

Health checks at work would give people the opportunity to discuss a range of health issues and think about how their lifestyle rates in health terms."

He added that the document is not based on any specific research involving office workers, but on the principle that moving around burns more calories than sitting down.

The move is an attempt to persuade Scots to become more physically active. Just 44% of men and 33% of women are meeting the recommended minimum level of physical activity for adults of 30 minutes of moderate activity a day.

Those who are overweight or obese are advised to aim for as much as one and a half hours of activity.

But yesterday critics voiced doubts about the plan.

Scottish Conservative health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon said: "Whilst employers have a duty to ensure a safe and healthy working environment and positive human relations support in the workplace, the workplace needs to be set up in a manner which focuses on productivity and efficient work practices, not an exercise zone."

A spokesman for the Forum of Private Business said: "The health of employees is always a concern for businesses. But both employers and employees' concerns at the moment will centre on the current economic downturn and on pulling together to help businesses survive. Moving the water cooler and printers away from desks is just annoying. There are greater concerns."

Andy Willox, Scottish policy convener at the Federation of Small Businesses, agreed that employees' health was a priority but warned that any measures to improve it had to be practical.

"It's in everyone's interests to improve Scotland's poor health record – not least because a healthy workforce is a productive workforce. And the point has been made that, cumulatively, small changes can make big differences.

"But changes, especially in the workplace, need to be practical and have the desired effect. Clearly, anything which impacts negatively on productivity is unlikely to be embraced by businesses."

SOS workout

Here's our scientifically calculated programme that is guaranteed to give you the body of your dreams while you send profits soaring.

• Vigorous online shopping while the boss isn't looking. Four hours, 20 minutes a day. Burns 51.3 calories.

• Bitter, sustained muttering and head-shaking as another pointless assignment comes your way. A total of 48 minutes a day. Burns 22.9 calories.

• Exasperated deletion of junk e-mail (involving both forefingers). One hour, 16 minutes. Burns three calories.

• Brisk walk to canteen to buy 300-calorie chocolate muffin. Four minutes a day. Burns 24 calories.

• Thinking about going into the stationery cupboard with a colleague. Nine hours a day. Burns 840 calories.