Health officials say workplaces should provide lunchtime fitness classes to tackle the obesity crisis

Health officials say companies should start offering employees lunchtime fitness classes to tackle the obesity crisis. Yoga and spinning are some of the forms of physical activity that should be provided at work in the middle of the day, according to new guidelines published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice).

The guidelines also suggest having stand-up meetings and encourage employess to take the stairs. Experts hope by implementing these guidlines, it can help people tackle other heallth issues like stress, anxiety and depression. Making time to workout during working hours can have a lot of health benefits, as well as encourage some much needed time away from the screen.

However, trying to make this a normal routine can be a challenge as more and more people across the globe are working long hours. That is way NICE officials say there has to be a culture shift in order for this to work. "If the United Kingdom’s 5.7 million small and medium sized businesses encouraged their workforce to be more active, they are more likely to reap the benefits of having engaged employees who are more productive and are less likely to take time off sick," Professor Gillian Leng, deputy chief executive and director of health and social care at NICE, told a news portal. Adding, "Simple things like providing secure bicycle storage, showers and changing facilities can go a long way to enabling people to cycle to work or to meetings."

Because the obesity crisis is becoming a huge health crisis, experts say we need to make drastic changes to get people moving. "We need people to change their lifestyle and to take more exercise. If they can do this during the working day, not only will they benefit, but so too will their employers and the NHS. It’s a win, win for everyone,"Leng told a news portal.