Academics behind a healthy eating study for employees in large firms are in talks with State agencies and private companies about rolling out their programme which they claim will result in healthier workers.

Obese workers are more likely to miss work and clock up a higher number of sick days than healthier colleagues, with a study claiming employers will have to play a more prominent role in their employees’ eating habits.

The eating habits of manufacturing workers are to come under the spotlight in research to explore if healthier menus and more nutritional information can improve diets.