Healthier meals, exercise classes in the workplace

SINGAPORE — Lower-calorie meals, wholegrain options and free exercise classes at the workplace. These are among the features of the nation’s first healthy workplace ecosystem at Mapletree Business City in Alexandra, which the Health Promotion Board (HPB) hopes will help Singaporeans live, work and eat more healthily.

The initiative was introduced yesterday at the launch of this year’s National Healthy Lifestyle Campaign, which was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Senior Minister of State (Health and Manpower) Amy Khor.

It was developed by the HPB to encourage Singaporeans to make healthier choices at the workplace. A similar environment at another business park is expected to be ready within the next six to 12 months, said HPB Chief Executive Officer Zee Yoong Kang.

A 2010 national health survey found that working adults exercise the least.

Parliamentary Secretary (Health) Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim said at the launch that Singaporeans are aware of how to live healthily, but lack the time or motivation to take action.

“We created the health-promoting environment by bringing exercise programmes, healthier food options and screening packages to the doorsteps of the companies in Mapletree Business City,” he said.

More than half of the eateries and more than 90 per cent of the stalls in the food court will be offering healthier food choices, such as 500-calorie meals and wholegrain options, like wholemeal kaya toast.

The HPB’s ongoing fitness programmes, like Sunrise in the City and i-Run, will be started there next month. Free workshops on topics such as weight management and how to quit smoking will also be available.

The initiative is part of the Healthy Living Master Plan announced in March.

Associate Professor Faishal, who also chairs the master plan’s task force, is hopeful that its benefits will reach beyond those working at Mapletree.

“When they start thinking about living healthily, it’s not only at the workplace, I hope they will bring it back to (their) homes, to their families, to the community, so in this way it will have a rippling and multiplier effect in the years to come,” he said.