Health staff shed 1.7 tonnes

There has been talk of trimming the fat off the health system, but MidCentral Health has taken the message a little more literally.

In a bid to slim down staff and create a healthier workplace, the MidCentral District Health Board decided to offer a special deal for staff who signed up to Weight Watchers at the end of last year.

Of MidCentral's 2500 staff, 245 employees took up the programme in September last year.

Since then, they have lost a whopping 1692kg among them – netting MidCentral Health Board the "workplace of the year" award at the Australasian Weight Watchers Healthy Life Awards in Sydney on Wednesday.

Human resources manager Anne Amoore said the weight loss amounted to an average of 6.9kg per person.

Doctors, nurses, and administration staff had all battled the bulge, with some losing up to 25kg. And 17 slimmers had achieved the prestigious "Lifetime Membership" status, by reaching their goal weight and maintaining it for six weeks. Weight Watchers meetings had been scheduled around shift work, so staff could attend early in the morning or at lunchtime.

"It was really impressive, people really stuck with it," Ms Amoore said. "You notice how many people have actually lost significant amounts of weight."

It was hoped confidence and higher fitness levels accompanying weight loss would lead to a happier workplace and fewer sick days.

Following the success story of MidCentral Health, five other district health boards had signed up to Weight Watchers, she said.

- © Fairfax NZ News