Health insurer MBF is issuing step-counting pedometers to its employees in a campaign to encourage physical activity to prevent serious weight-related health problems including heart disease and diabetes.

Queensland Health provided funding to CQU for the development of the 10 000 Steps Project being used by MBF.

The insurer hopes that the campaign using the 10 000 Steps Workplace Challenge program will be a catalyst for other Australian companies to introduce similar on-the-job health and fitness programs to deal with one of the nation’s most pressing health epidemics.

Hundreds of MBF employees plan to walk at least 10 000 steps a day with an overwhelming 84% choosing to wear pedometers in the first phase of the voluntary national program being rolled out today in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Managing director and chief executive officer, Eric Dodd, announced MBF’s workplace program supported by Olympic swimming champions, Geoff Huegill and Duncan Armstrong, and Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman.

“As employers, we cannot ignore an epidemic in which obesity, with all of its associated health problems, has more than doubled in Australia within 20 years to the point where two thirds of men and more than half of women are overweight or obese,” Mr Dodd said.

“Employers can be part of the solution by increasing opportunities for employees to be physically active by taking part in activities as straightforward as regular walking. At MBF, we have embraced the 10 000 Steps program and the enthusiasm of our own people is a sure sign that employees are keen to be involved in a self-help health solution.”.

More than 300 MBF employees wearing company-funded pedometers to measure their steps turned Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall into a sea of orange-coloured t-shirts for this week's launch of their workplace program.

10 000 Steps aims to increase community participation in physical activity. In Australia, only 43.3% of women and 47.1% of men are physically active enough to be of benefit to their health.

Helping to lead the big MBF contingent on its inaugural 10 000 Steps walk, Ald Newman, said he hoped other local employers would introduce similar programs in their workplaces. “Weight related health concerns are a community problem and the corporate sector certainly has a role to play,” Ald Newman said.

“We are currently seeing the negative health impact of high energy diets combined with low physical activity. Measures that reduce energy intake and increase activity are to be applauded.” .

In addition to the Brisbane launch, MBF teams in regional areas -- Broadbeach, Cairns, Maroochydore, Rockhampton, Toowoomba, Townsville and in the NT capital Darwin – began the 10 000 Steps program in their local areas.

For details contact: David Jones MBF Public Affairs 0417 232 246.

Photo (left): 10 000 Steps participants from MBF's Rockhampton Centre.

Photo (above): The cutting of the ribbon in Queen St Mall with (left to right) swimmer Geoff Heugill, Jo-Ann Miller (Parlimentary Sectretary to the Minister for Health), Lord Mayor Campbell Newman and 10 000 Steps Project Officer (Implementation Manager) Anetta Hinchliffe.