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Benefits and Pensions MonitorDoes Obesity Begin At The Office?
That’s one of the findings of a recent study reported in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (August 2005) and cited on the Memorial Health Care System website. We can add to this the fact that thousands of workers are eating at least one meal a day at their company’s cafeteria, where choices range from salad bars to not-so-healthy meals and snacks. As a society, we seem to be moving to a move less/eat more model, rather than one that has us moving more and eating less. Consequently, the rapidly rising rate of obesity as a health problem in both the U.S. and Canada is not expected to slow down any time soon and the costs to the workplace have skyrocketed in recent years. “We have to understand that reducing obesity in our population requires that we change the overall environment and not simply ask individuals to make changes,” said Dr. Trevor Hancock, a public health physician and consultant to the B.C. Ministry of Health, at a Canadian Cardiovascular Congress in 2004. Encouraging activity in the workplace, removing junk food, and bringing corporations and governments together to build more ‘walkable’communities are examples of what needs to be done, says Hancock.
High Risk Obesity brings with it a high risk of serious health problems such as diabetes, gall bladder disease, cardiovascular concerns, and some cancers. Severe obesity is associated with a 12-fold increase in mortality in 25- to 35-year-olds when compared to lean individuals. The Canadian Institute for Health Information says obese people are three times more likely to need a joint replacement than their lighter counterparts and they’ll take significantly longer to recover. Being overweight or obese also has a strong link to many other medical conditions including sleep apnea, arthritis, asthma, and incontinence. Cost estimates in the range of $2,500 annually have been suggested for each obese worker when medical expenses and missed days of work are combined (Science & Technology at Scientific America.com: Study assessment, annual cost of obesity). And Canadian experts suggest that short-term disability and long-term disability claims have more than doubled for obesity-related conditions over the last few years, with high proportions of female workers making claims. Right now, it seems women are apparently more likely to seek help, are slightly more prone to obesity, and undergo a greater percentage of bariatric (gastric stapling/bypass) surgical procedures. In the U.S., the average short-term disability claim is said to be 45 days. While employees must take responsibility for managing their obesity and their lifestyle choices, employers can be prudent by encouraging healthy work environments. Ideas For Employers To battle the bulge, here are some suggestions for employer-sponsored initiatives that can be implemented and regularly promoted by management to create supportive and successful environments:
Healthy Lifestyles Even a modest weight loss of five to 15 per cent in a person who is overweight or obese can lower blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and reduce the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. A strong advertising campaign for a fitness program may result in not only weight loss, but may also encourage team-building skills, increased selfesteem for participants, and more energy for completing work assignments. And, a new menu selection in the cafeteria can help all employees as they try to eliminate preservatives and junk food from their diets while maintaining healthy lifestyles. While employees may perceive that employers are discriminating against or singling out overweight people (and thus employers may face an uphill battle in getting their workforce to participate), obesity management is a complex issue and not just an individual problem. As the prevalence of obesity increases, its economic consequences must be considered. Absenteeism, disability, and on-the-job injuries cost money, time, and productivity – all bottom-line issues. Caroline Tapp-McDougall is the publisher of Solutions: Canada’s Family Guide to Home Health Care and Wellness and the author of The Complete Canadian Eldercare Guide. |
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