Workplace Obesity is a Major Cost to Organizations
Workplace Obesity: The Facts
Workplace 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”, heaviest countries 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 organization’s bottom line.
According to a new report from The Conference Board, Weights and Measures: What businesss Should Know about Obesity, obese staff members cost private corporations an estimated $45 billion annually. Here 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 Americans fit the definition of “obese”
Obesity related health problems are costing American corporations millions of dollars annually in medical expenditures and work loss.
Workplace Obesity: How corporations Can Help
With the increase in obesity and business costs associated with it, it is more and more imperative to establish a way to assist staff members with their healthy living choices. Corporate Health Promotion Programs can help corporations help their staff members. By providing assistance with Health Screening, Health Risk Appraisals and by conducting Corporate Health Promotion Program surveys; Corporate Health Promotion Programs allow the business non-invasive ways to communicate their concerns about their worker’s health.
We suggest establishing a Walking Corporate Health Promotion 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 exercise. Keep it fun by having contests, setting up weight-loss teams and having organized healthy picnics.