Getting fat at work? Make your next meeting a WALK to reduce stress, back pain and obesity, say health officials

  • Public Health England urges office workers to take their meetings outside
  • Chief executive Duncan Selbie warned against the perils of sitting at your desk
  • He will encourage people to get vital short bursts of energy during the work day 

By COLIN FERNANDEZ, ENVIRONMENT EDITOR

Published: | Updated:

It may be the perfect solution for workers who feel they are cooped up in the office all day.

Instead of sitting round tables for meetings, we should go for a stroll during them, Public Health England is suggesting.

So called 'walking meetings' are being given official approval as a way to help staff who sit at desks all day get a bit more exercise.

Office workers are being advised to take their meetings outdoors to prevent the perils of sitting at desks

Office workers are being advised to take their meetings outdoors to prevent the perils of sitting at desks

Public Health England is suggesting that meetings branch out of their office environments

Public Health England is suggesting that meetings branch out of their office environments

Strolling instead of sitting for an office discussion could reduce stress and back pain as well as obesity.

Duncan Selbie, chief executive of PHE is expected to make the recommendations tomorrow at its annual conference. He will warn of the 'perils of sitting at your desk… haemorrhaging productivity'.

In remarks reported by the Sunday Times, he will say: 'Move more, get up and about. Walking meetings. I don't just mean in the office – go out for a walk, get some fresh air for a meeting. We are very keen on short bursts of energy.'

The tips are intended for employers to battle the sedentary culture which is a danger to health.

He wants employers to say: 'Moving more is really important. We are all sedentary around here. Who has got ideas about how we get moving a bit more?' 

Supporters of walking meetings say they are more creative and help to break down barriers between supervisors and subordinates and between co-workers.

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