Population intakes of saturated fat, sugar, and salt are above the government recommendations whereas intakes of fibre, fruit, vegetables and oily fish are below government recommendations.
Employers have a key role to play in ensuring employees have access to healthier food and drink options. Physical inactivity and poor diet are among the top causes of ill health, and if we get ill this can negatively impact on our working life.
Conversely when we’re feeling well we’re at our best. We’re more productive and take less time off sick, so it’s no surprise that employers increasingly see that it makes business sense to support the health of their staff.
Working adults spend a third of their waking hours in work which means our workplaces are key spaces for improving wellbeing. These environments shape our behaviour; how active we are, what we eat, so workplaces are well-placed to take simple steps to promote physical activity and healthy eating.
Some facts and figures
Did you know:
- around a third of adults in England are damaging their health through a lack of physical activity
- in England, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 5 men are defined as inactive (doing less than 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each week)
- healthy eating can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and some cancers
- in 2015, 57% of women and 66% of men in the UK were overweight or obese
- on average, obesity deprives an individual of an extra 9 years of life
- employees in good health are less likely to need time off work and are likely to be more productive
- only about a quarter of people in the UK eat the recommended 5 fruits and vegetables per day
- the estimated cost of an unhealthy workforce to the UK taxpayer is over £60 Billion per year
Support and resources
Live Life Better Derbyshire provide support, help and advice for you to successfully lose weight, and keep it off, for good. It’s about taking a broader approach to weight loss instead of just focusing on dieting or what's on your plate. We work with local businesses and can offer weight loss programmes to support your staff.
The Eatwell Guide reflects the latest dietary recommendations and key public health messages. It applies to most people over the age of 5 and is suitable for vegans and vegetarians too.
British Heart Foundation health at work - top tips for putting healthy eating into practice in the workplace.
British Dietetic Association Work Ready is a programme to help keep your workforce healthy and well at work. We create needs-based nutrition programmes for your workers. This will improve their resilience, wellbeing and productivity.
UK Health Security Agency 5 ways businesses can help employees eat well and move more.
Better Health Healthier Families exists to motivate and enable the nation to lead active and healthy lives. It's there to support and encourage all of us in taking steps to improve our physical and mental health.
NHS Live well Eat well has information and guidance about eating a healthy, balanced diet.