UNILEVER’S Port Sunlight base is piloting a staff fitness scheme that could be rolled out to all 7,500 of the group’s UK and Ireland workers next year.

Fit Business involves 2,000 staff at Port Sunlight and Leatherhead, and aims to encourage people to take action to improve their own health.

Staff will be offered health checks on the production line and in the office to measure their blood pressure and body mass index levels.

Nutritional information will be posted in staff restaurants highlighting the calorie, fat, sugar and salt content of dishes.

And “lunch and learn sessions” will include advice from nutritionists, medical experts and chefs to inspire staff to adopt healthier lifestyles.

Workers will also be offered incentives such as gym kit bags.

Think-tank the Institute for Public Policy Research will track a sample of employees on the project to evaluate the impact of the pilot on their health, wellbeing and productivity both in and outside work.

Alan Walters, Unilever’s human resources vice- president for the UK and Ireland, said: “The scale of the UK’s obesity challenge is immense, with 12.6m adults predicted to be obese by 2010.

“Most people spend a large proportion of their lives at work, so major employers like Unilever have a responsibility and an opportunity to help employees live healthy lives.”