Chippenham Pit Stop is encouraging truck drivers to measure their waists and use a simple NHS-approved tool to understand their health risks better.
The company has launched its Check your Waist initiative which offers HGV drivers free paper tape measures to measure their waists.
Drivers then input the result into the NHS app, via a QR code provided by the company, which checks their waist to height ratio - which is an important indicator of health.
The initiative aims to raise drivers’ awareness of the health risks they face due to the nature of their job, requiring long and often stressful hours spent sitting at the wheel, which can result in serious weight gain.
Announcing the initiative, the company said: “Carrying extra weight around your middle isn’t just about appearance.
“Fat stored deep around the waist sits close to vital organs and is linked to higher risks of heart disease; high blood pressure; high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.
“As a lorry driver, this risk can be higher due to the lifestyle. Crucially you don’t have to feel unwell for there to be a problem.”
The company points out that weight or BMI is not necessarily a good indicator of health, with health professionals increasingly recommending a simpler and more accurate check, which is drivers’ waist-to-height ratio.
It explains: “The guidance is easy to remember. Your waist should be less than half your height. That’s it. This method is backed by the NHS and is one of the easiest ways to spot potential health risks early, before they turn into serious problems.”
Chippenham Pit Stop advises HGV drivers using their facility to take the following steps:
- Take a free paper tape measure, hung next to the hand dryers and on the shower doors.
- Measure your waist
- Measure around your middle, just above your hips, after breathing out normally.
- Scan the QR code
- This takes you straight to the NHS waist-to-height ratio tool, where you can check your result in seconds.
The company said: “We’ve made this as quick and practical as possible for drivers on the move.
It added: “Just taking two minutes to measure your waist can highlight risks early, give you a clear, simple target, help you make small changes before bigger problems develop. Awareness is key.
“Next time you stop at Chippenham Pit Stop, take two minutes to measure your middle, your future self might thank you.”
