Obesity is a major problem in the United Kingdom, and officials from the National Health Service (NHS) have been planning to tackle it by placing a sugar tax on hospitals.

Now, in addition to its anti-obesity measures, the NHS will be offering a £600 million fund to hospitals so they can provide Zumba classes and sports club memberships to their overweight staff.

NHS Head Simon Stevens said hospitals should "practice what they preach" by improving the well-being of more than 1.3 million employees across the nation.

Under the scheme, which is expected to be implemented in April, hospitals will receive additional payments if they cut sales of junk food and prohibit marketing of unhealthy fare. Hospitals that reach health and well-being targets will also receive a 2.5 percent bonus from the £600 million NHS fund.

Stevens said the new measures are intended to help reduce the yearly £2.4 billion NHS sickness bill for staff. The two largest causes are musculoskeletal and mental health issues.

Stevens said the best way to start is by tackling the sources of staff sickness absence. At the same time, ditching junk food and sugary drinks by replacing them with healthier and more affordable alternatives will do well, too.

"If we can do this well, we hope that more parts of the public and private sector will see the sense of it and also take the plunge," said Stevens.

Janet Davies, chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing, said the announcement is positive and could lead to improved care for patients.

"Too often in the past, the NHS has failed to take care of its staff in the same excellent way it takes care of patients," said Davies.

She said the initiative must be accompanied by improved access to flexible working and a determined effort to reduce the stress experienced when staff cannot properly take care of patients.

However, some critics have disagreed with the new initiatives.

Tam Fry of the National Obesity Forum said the NHS did not mention that some members of its staff are overweight or obese, or how it plans to evaluate if its £600 million is worth the money.

"All this help can be laid on, but proof is needed that employee's health and fitness will improve," said Fry. "A taste of their own medicine is required."

Photo: Todd Ehlers | Flickr