Worksite Obesity is a Major Cost to Companies

Worksite Obesity: The Facts

Worksite obesity has become one of the fastest growing health 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 corporation’s bottom line.

According to a new report from The Conference Board, Weights and Measures: What organizations Should Know about Obesity, obese staff members cost private companies an estimated $45 billion annually. Here are some of the report’s findings:

Obesity is associated with a 36% increase in spending on health care, more than smoking or problem drinking.
34% of adult United States citizens fit the definition of “obese”
Obesity related health problems are costing United States businesses millions of dollars annually in medical expenditures and work loss.

Worksite Obesity: How companies Can Help

With the increase in obesity and organization costs associated with it, it is more and more imperative to establish a way to assist staff members with their healthy living choices. Workplace Wellness Programs can help companies help their staff members. By providing assistance with Health Screening, Health Risk Assessments (HRAs) and by conducting Corporate Health and Wellness Initiative surveys; Workplace Wellness Programs allow the organization non-invasive ways to communicate their concerns about their employee’s health.

We suggest establishing a Walking Corporate Health and Wellness Initiative 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.