Almost 65% of employers believe obesity is a serious issue in the workplace, contributing to lower productivity and higher costs, according to research by YouGov.

However, it found that just 4% of employers have any measures in place to help employees manage weight issues.

The research found that as many as 87% of employers believe that obese people are at a disadvantage in the job market, with more than half of those surveyed expecting obese people to have more time off sick.  

However, despite these strong concerns about the impact of obesity on productivity, 87% of employers are reluctant to talk to their employees about their health concerns due to worries about hurt feelings and legal connotations. 

The number of people who are so overweight that their health is at risk has increased by 400% in the last 25 years. People are not taking the recommended daily amount of exercise because of constraints on their time, largely due to work commitments - eating at their desk and only getting fresh air when there is an errand to run.