Get Fit at Workplace

Get fit at the workplace

By Lili Lajman

To get their employees to live healthier, more companies are setting up fitness programmes and facilities, writes Lili Lajman

I USED to work in the banking industry, attached to one of the major international players in Kuala Lumpur. One of the many things I liked about my previous workplace was the fact that it had a gym.
Although I rarely used the gym as I was already frequenting another closer to home on weekends, it was comforting to know that the facility was just a few steps away in case I needed to work out on weekdays, to sweat away the unwanted-but-always-there calories and work stress.
But this bank is not unique. Many banks  provide gym facilities for staff in their headquarters. And from the looks of it, this healthy trend is growing in all industries in the country.
More and more companies are getting their office premises fitted with a gym. This positive move may just help boost the health and fitness level of a huge percentage of the working population.
The New Straits Times Press too has a well-equipped gym at its main office in Jalan Riong, Bangsar. It has also gone a step further in its bid to promote a healthier lifestyle among its employees by organising weight management programmes, periodic health talks and Health Awareness Day.

WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMME
NSTP launched its weight management programme, called the Lose Big Win Big Contest, in 2011. It ran for six months, with participants working out at the in-house gym under the supervision of personal trainers.
Last year, the company and Media Prima Berhad (MPB) took a different approach by introducing the Kilos For Cash (KFC) programme where participants were given the freedom to formulate their own exercise and diet regime.
Overseeing the programme is Dr Rohaya Ramli, director and family physician at the Bakti Healthcare. She says:  “NSTP-MPB embarked on this programme to encourage the workforce to lose weight the healthy way — that is through regular exercise and a low calorie healthy diet.”
The KFC contest, which ran for 100 days, was open to NSTP-MPB staff who registered a BMI reading of 25 and above. However, they must be fairly healthy, not pregnant or suffering from any serious medical condition or injury. They must also not be on any concurrent weight loss medications or slimming programmes.
“Following last year’s success, the management has decided to continue it this year. The programme, which started in mid-June will be ending on Sept 13 and lucrative cash prizes awaiting the winners,” adds Dr Rohaya.
Interestingly, KFC has its own Facebook page to provide an easy communication channel between participants and the  committee members.
Additionally, healthy cooking demonstrations are also carried out for the benefit of the contestants. Clearly, proactive employer engagement has proved to be valuable in ensuring employees’ fitness and hea

DIETARY INFORMATION
According to independent researcher Dr Mageswari Rajoo, employees with desk-bound jobs generally tend to have a weight problem. When a company takes the initiative to undertake work wellness programmes, these employees may be encouraged to lose weight the healthy way.
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Dr Mageswari conducted a study to investigate the effectiveness of 20-30 minutes of physical exercise as part of the wellness programme. Her study focused on a six-month programme at an oil and gas company in Terengganu. It began in 2009 and is still ongoing,
“The company showed its commitment to the cause by providing gym facilities. In 2009, there was only one treadmil. Today, there are four,” she says.
The programme consists of simple exercises such as aerobics, squats or walking on the treadmill. Over the years, there were different groups of participants from the pre-retirement group aged 40-55, with a BMI of 25 and above.
Presenting her findings at the recent 2nd International Congress in Sports and Exercise Medicine 2013, Dr Mageswari  said that when people were at work, they generally did not exercise. However, when companies make it easier for them to work out in the office, some are more inclined to do so.
“We also found that those provided with dietary information tended to lose more weight compared with those who only focused on exercise. This was mainly because they were made more aware of what they eat, especially the calorie content,” she said.
“Our lifestyle is different from that of our grandparents. Apart from the food factor, we live a sedentary lifestyle, which contributes to obesity.”
Recently Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya  said that there are about three million obese Malaysians and that the number is increasing. Also, there are about five million people who have varying degrees of diabetes.
The numbers are alarming, to say the least.
Professor Datuk Dr Mydin Musa, president of the Society Of Sports and Exercise Medicine Malaysia, said: “Healthy Malaysians would mean a healthy productive population and healthy wellbeing can be achieved through sports and exercise. Corporate companies and government bodies should take the initiative to provide proper gym equipment and trainers as well as organise sustainable wellness programmes, including awareness talks and campaigns at the workplace.”
With the recent launch of the Youth and Sports Ministry’s Gym Makes Me Fit & Healthy 2013 programme for its employees, perhaps more ministries and government bodies as well as the corporate sectors will jump on the health bandwagon.

Read more: Get fit at the workplace - Health - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/life-times/health/get-fit-at-the-workplace-1.348045#ixzz2fRtLQi5A