Central Processing Unit have been undertaking health checks and using a bio impedance machine as part of their wellness programme.

The bio impedance machine is a method for estimating body composition via an electrical current that goes through the body, which is a quick and non-invasive way to establish overall weight, body fat %, muscle mass/quality, visceral fat, body water %, bone mass and physical rating.

The workplace coordinated health checks, with 20 staff participating in an initial and post check pilot alongside a workplace step challenge. Individual staff made their own activity and nutrition goals.  Some of which included cutting down the number of takeaways they bought in a week, and others adding a healthy breakfast to kick start their day.  “Just with changing a few things in my diet and increasing my water uptake I really feel a lot more alert and have more energy throughout the day.”

Physical changes from the bio impedance testing resulted in 65% of participants having the following improvements in a 12 week period – increased muscle mass/quality, increased hydration, increased fitness levels and decreased visceral fat (visceral fat is known as a “deep” fat that's stored further underneath the skin than “subcutaneous” belly fat. It's a form of gel-like fat that's actually wrapped around major organs, including the liver, pancreas – excess amounts can be detrimental to individual’s health).

The team are keen to have regular health checks as they liked the fact the machine broke down the whole of the body composition rather than just measuring weight. “Normally I get really disheartened if I weigh myself and have put on weight, but using the bio impedance machine I saw my weight increase was actually due to increased muscle mass and decreased body fat I was really surprised!”