Jennifer Ligibel, a cancer specialist from Harvard University, said: “We have seen rising prevalence of obesity over a relatively short time – in a matter of decades its gone from relatively uncommon to around one in three adults being obese in the US – and the UK is not far behind.” Twenty five per cent of Britons are now obese, compared with three per cent in the Seventies.

Separately, there was some really encouraging news as experts have said that exercise was such a “potent” force against cancer that it should be prescribed as part of disease treatment. Researchers said women with breast cancer could reduce mortality by up to 50% with half an hour’s moderate exercise, five times a week, compared with those who are inactive. The results were based on a study of mice by New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Studies in men with prostate cancer also suggested vigorous exercise was linked to reduction of between 40 and 50% in mortality.  The research concluded that “exercise creates a hostile environment for cancer cells.”

If you’re concerned about the fitness of your workforce contact Healthy Performance for details of our Get Active Campaigns.  These are designed to educate and encourage employees to become more active and ideal for employees wanting to get active, but don’t know where to start.   Many people are in this situation and feel intimidated by gyms so we bring expertise and advice to the workplace.  We cover various suggestions for getting active, staying active, and most importantly how to monitor improvements.