"Managing Obesity in the Workplace" comprehensively examines how obesity impacts business and provides examples of action that can be taken by employers to prevent weight gain and facilitate weight loss in their staff. A considered, evidence-based analysis of the extent of the obesity problem reveals how this public health epidemic affects all workplaces influencing fitness to work, sickness absence, discrimination and bullying.Case studies from around the world clearly illustrate the extent of the problem and offer practical, innovative and budget friendly solutions for all businesses, large and small. With a focus on nutrition, physical activity, motivation and education, this book is ideal for occupational health professionals, public health and primary care doctors and nurses, health and safety officers, and nutritionists and dieticians. Organisations promoting workplace health, including sports/exercise equipment suppliers, will find it enlightening reading, as will business owners and managers.

Nerys Williams, Griselda Cooper

An overview of costs of obesity, demographic changes and Government initiatives. The background and scale of problem. The medical consequences of obesity. The workplace implications of obesity on fitness for work, the use of personal protective equipment and ergonomics (the fit between worker and workplace). Prejudice and discrimination in employment and healthcare. Current management of obesity, diet, activity drugs and surgery. The workplace setting - health and safety issues, selling the concept of weight management to employers, initiatives on nutrition and activity. Workplace design to improve nutrition and physical activity including case studies. Health promotion - work task and workplace redesign and population approaches. Health promotion - the individual approach. Legal aspects of obesity and the disability discrimination act.