Posted by Company Wellness | Posted in Company Wellness | Posted on 29-10-2008
Worksite Obesity: The Facts
Worksite obesity has become one of the fastest growing medical care problems in America. It is well known that America is considered one of the, if not “the”, fattest nations in the world. This is largely in part due to fast food, un-healthy snacks and a very sedentary lifestyle. However, what many people are not aware of is that the rate of obesity in our country has doubled in the last 30 years and this weighs heavily on a company’s bottom line.
According to a new report from The Conference Board, Weights and Measures: What corporations Should Know about Obesity, obese staff members cost private organizations an estimated $45 billion annually. Following are some of the report’s findings:
Obesity is associated with a 36% increase in spending on medical care, more than smoking or problem drinking.
34% of adult U.S citizens fit the definition of “obese”
Obesity related health problems are costing United States corporations millions of dollars annually in medical expenditures and work loss.
Worksite Obesity: How organizations Can Help
With the increase in obesity and corporation costs associated with it, it is more and more imperative to develop a way to assist staff members with their healthy living choices. Corporate Health Promotion Programs can help organizations help their staff members. By offering assistance with Health Screening, Health Risk Assessments / Health Risk Appraisals and by conducting Company Wellness Program surveys; Corporate Health Promotion Programs allow the corporation non-invasive ways to communicate their concerns about their employee’s health.
We suggest establishing a Walking Company Wellness Program to assist your staff members in meeting their weight-loss goals. Walking Wellness is a program designed to get your staff members away from their desk and get them outside for a little physical activity. Keep it fun by having contests, setting up weight-loss teams and having organized healthy picnics.