Employers happy to help staff shed the kilos

Kiwi employers are lightening the load at work by signing up staff to corporate weight-loss programmes.

Businesses are introducing the in-house weight-loss programmes to help improve employees' health and cut sick days.

Staff have weekly weigh-ins or can listen to motivational talks from dietitians and weight-loss experts.

Some organisations even run "biggest loser" competitions, with the person dropping the most weight in a week winning a prize and a cup.

One organisation to introduce a weight-loss programme is the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA).

NZFSA employee Sue Mudford has been on the weight-loss programme for six months and has lost almost 17kg.

Mudford said she had been a typical cuddly New Zealander who struggled with her weight but never seemed to get around to doing anything serious about it.

"I would never have joined Weight Watchers if they weren't coming to my work," she said. "It's really encouraging seeing other people there losing weight."

Mudford said the classes had had a positive impact on all staff, as those not on the programme were bringing healthier snacks such as vegetable sticks for shared morning teas instead of sausage rolls or cakes.

"It's been extraordinarily good."

Colleague Janice Attrill has dropped from a size 26 top to a size 18 in just five months on the programme.

Attrill said her dramatic weight loss meant she could now wear a greater range of clothes.

"I feel fantastic. Being a size 24 or 26 makes it really hard to find nice clothes. There's just not so many to choose from."

NZFSA health and safety co-ordinator Gill Wilson said she introduced the weight-loss programme this year in an attempt to improve staff health and well-being.

Staff who wanted to join paid a subsidised Weight Watchers rate and were able to attend weight-loss sessions during the working day.

Weight Watchers Australasian managing director Joseph Saad said demand for the corporate schemes was soaring. "It's just exploded ... Obesity has become a growing problem and companies want to help their staff get healthier and be more productive."

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- © Fairfax NZ News