Staff at confectionary giant Nestlé have taken part in a ’round the world’ walking challenge, walking an average of 12,850 steps per day for 125 days – with staff reporting significant health improvements as a result.
More than one-third of the 5,000 employees in the UK workforce took part in the wellbeing initiative, walking a total of 1.9 billion steps.
More than a third reported weight loss, with an average of 4.5kg each, while two-thirds reported increased energy and improved fitness.
Walking accounted for more than two-thirds of all journeys, up from 15% before the challenge started, while travelling by bicycle doubled and journeys by car halved.
Employees found they were using the office lifts half as much as usual because of choosing to walk up and down the stairs instead.
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Dr David Batman, Nestlé’s head of employee wellness in the UK, said: “Walking at least 10,000 steps a day is a proven way of helping to reduce the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. That’s why this challenge has been so important for all our staff.”
The company is also running a global corporate challenge, with teams worldwide being challenged to take a ‘virtual’ walk around the world in 125 days, or at least 10,000 steps per day per person.
