Discriminating against people because of their size could become illegal.

Personnel Today has reported that The Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust (TOAST) has increased its pressure on the government to make tackling obesity a national health priority.

It states that Dr Brian Iddon, Labour MP and a patron of TOAST, has suggested the government should consider making it illegal to discriminate against people because of their size. He said: "This government has gone to great lengths in its efforts to abolish discrimination in several areas of social policy. Obviously, it will have to look next at discrimination against those who are overweight.”

In a survey among more than 2,500 readers of Personnel Today and 331 members of TOAST, 93 percent of HR professionals claimed there was a social stigma about obesity, but two-thirds admitted the issue was not discussed enough in their organisation.

Personnel Today also revealed that almost three-quarters said their organisation was not actively tackling obesity, and only one-third ensured that managers were vigilant for any teasing or bullying. The TOAST respondents believed that employers were more likely to select obese workers for redundancy or pass them over for promotion, and were not sympathetic to obese staff.

Want to know more about TOAST? Visit their website www.toast-uk.org