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Govt tells workers: Hit the gym
24/05/2005 08:19 - (SA)
Shanghai - Civil servants are being told to hit the gym amid a rise in obesity and other health problems, an official newspaper reported on Tuesday.
The Xuhui district government says most of its 4 000 employees are severely out of shape, with just 30% receiving good or excellent marks on their physical exams, the Shanghai Daily reported.
About 15% of the district's bureaucrats are overweight, with most living sedentary lifestyles and making little time for exercise, the report said.
"The biggest problems among government clerks and officials are obesity, poor heart and lung functioning, and poor balance," Zhang Chengyao of the Xuhui District Sports Administration was quoted as saying.
The district has told bureaucrats to join one of 25 designated gyms or sports clubs that are offering discounted fees, with those who work out at least once a week to be reimbursed, it said.
"Many office clerks have a static life style, tight schedules and don't know much about physical exercise," Zhang was quoted as saying, adding that "very few of them go the gym regularly."
- AP
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