Small firms can play a key role in helping their employees live a healthier lifestyle, a new report suggests.
The initial findings of the Well@Work project show that workplace health schemes can have a big impact on levels of physical activity and eating habits for those involved.
Other benefits include increased staff morale, better communications and an improved working atmosphere, the preliminary report indicates.
Nicki Cooper, head of heart health at project organisers the British Heart Foundation, said: "We spend 60 percent of our day with colleagues, so they can provide great support in getting us to swap that chocolate cake for a piece of fruit, or to walk home instead of driving.
"Healthy workplaces can inspire us to become a fitter, trimmer nation."
The Well@Work project is targeted at testing the effectiveness of different kinds of workplace health schemes and is funded by Sport England, the Department of Health and the Big Lottery Fund.
Recently, a report by Microsoft indicated that repetitive strain injury costs UK firms more than £300 million a year through lost working hours.