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Promoting Wellness In The Workplace
Companies fighting the weight battle are winning on several fronts.

Compiled from various sources

Obesity Has Reached Epidemic Proportions
More than 9 percent of the nation’s health-care expenditures--about $117 billion--and 300,000 deaths annually are directly related to obesity and physical inactivity.
- US Surgeon General’s Report on the Nations Health

Not Just a Health Issue
"The financial impact of obesity on business is truly shocking--never mind the quality of life for the individuals involved," says Helen Darling, president of the Washington Business Group on Health. She estimates that organizations lose more than $12 billion per year because of higher health-care utilization rates and medical claims, lower productivity, increased absenteeism and elevated insurance premiums. "This is not an ‘it’s nice to be thin’ issue," she says. "It’s a business issue that directly affects the bottom line."
- Helen Darling, President, Washington Business Group on Health

Live Well...Work Well
The top four reasons why a work site offers health promotion activities:
• Improved employee health
• Improved employee morale
• Reduced absenteeism
• Reduced health care costs
- From the Hennepin County (MN) Community Health Department, Health Promotion Division

Reduced Costs And Medical Claims
An analysis of a workplace wellness program at Pacific Bell showed that in various years the program returned from $2.20 to $3 in savings for each dollar spent, resulting in annual savings of over $5 million.
- Business & Health Magazine

Improve Productivity, Morale And Reduce Employee Turnover
“Our fitness program produced tangible benefits, such as improved productivity, reduced worker’s comp rates, improved morale, and lower turnover rates.”
- Renee Dzieham, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., Personnel Journal

A Rose By Any Other Name
Hundreds of companies across the country have had great success implementing “10,000 Step Programs”. The goal for good health, many experts say, is to accumulate 10,000 steps per day. Although there’s no ‘magic number’,10,000 steps is an achievable goal for most, and pedometers help to motivate people to move.
- Shape Up America recommends a ‘10K a Day’ plan.
- A New Jersey Health Insurance company has launched a ‘10,000 Step Challenge’ for their employees, with great success.
- A MN Managed Care Co. has started “The 10,000 Steps Program”
- Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson gave pedometers to employees and asked them to walk 10,000 steps per day. Thompson lost 15 pounds through the program.
- Even McDonalds, the fast food giant, has recognized the need for activity and implemented the “Step With It” program nationwide.