Your workplace can play a key role in controlling obesity

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According to statistics, one out of five Indians suffer from obesity and India unfortunately is one of the top five obese countries in the world. Thanks to the rapidly changing lifestyle of the Indian population! Shockingly, working class and those living in urban India are more prone to obesity and obesity related chronic diseases.

Lifestyle of the world population is driven by work culture to a great extent. People, especially the young generation tend to spend more time in workplace than at home or outdoor. Those in the corporate sector are at a higher risk of being pushed towards the obesity epidemic in India. Stressful work, sedentary lifestyle, desk job, inadequate/irregular sleep, fatty diet, desktop diet, lack of exercise and consumption of alcohol are some of those lifestyle and behavioural changes that are associated with obesity risk. The corporate world here plays a key role in tackling this serious problem and promote a lifestyle-oriented work culture.

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Physical activity and healthy diet are two key factors which impact our body weight. But, in our fast paced work dominated life, we hardly get time to engage in such healthy acts. Sitting in front of the computer for stretched hours and eating junk food become the way of life. In such a case, corporate should take the initiative of driving employees towards a balanced and healthy life. Health screening, weight management exercise, access to gymnasiums and fitness trainers, open areas, provision of three course healthy meal and yoga sessions are some of the initiatives workplaces should take to save their employees from the risk of developing obesity.

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Another important role that corporate can play is to organize health programme sessions where every employee will get necessary information on eating behaviours, yoga, meditation etc from experts. This will not only cut on the medical expenses but will also benefit the workplace by lowering the rate of absenteeism arising from illness. A better quality of life will make both the employee and the employer productive at work.