Advantages of Nutrition Programs
Nutrition directly impacts nearly every aspect of physical and psychological health. A healthy diet can help protect against such conditions as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, stroke, certain cancers and depression. Obesity, which is among the most common conditions linked to diet, affects a record number of American Citizens.
The American Journal of Health Promotion estimates the cost of obesity to USA business to exceed $12.5 billion in healthcare, sick leave, and life and disability insurance.
Furthermore, one study reports that obesity raises health care costs by 36% and medication costs by 77%. To offset the health risks of obesity and poor diet, many businesses have committed to assisting employees ensure proper nutrition and undertake weight control programs.
Well-liked nutrition programs –
• Provide personnel with educational materials or classes on proper nutrition provided by a registered dietitian.
• Provide on-site Weight Watchers meetings or other weight control programs.
• Provide nutritious and health conscience meal options in the cafeteria and vending machines.
• Clearly post nutrition information for all cafeteria and vending machine items.
• Give low cost, healthful, take-home dinner options for staff and their families.
• Draw attention to healthful eating habits by providing token incentives, such as pencils or ID holders, for achieving five fruits or vegetable servings a day for a week.
Nutrition programs in action
While many businesses address weight management through fitness programs, businesses are increasingly focusing on nutrition through separate programming. Recognizing the productivity increase and decreased medical expenditures that come with maintaining a healthful weight, many businesses may help pay for obesity treatments for employees.
For instance, to enhance the health of dangerously obese employees, drug maker Wyeth reportedly pays for stomach-shrinking surgeries that carry price tags of up to $40,000.
A 2003 Society of Human Resource Management study shows that 24 percent of corporations offer weight loss programs. In Ohio, Honda offers an on-site, registered dietitian who provides individual or group consultations on weight control. Body fat analysis and BMI measurements are available to staff members at any time.
At Grange Insurance’s Columbus headquarters, the cafeteria chef analyzes meals and provides staff members basic nutrition information, including Weight Watchers points.
A lot of businesses partner with the American Cancer Society to offer nutrition information through the “5-ADay” program, which provides employers free signage and educational materials about the importance of consuming five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
The program also offers a fruit and vegetable “frequency card” that gives workforce a free portion of fruit or vegetables after he or she’s purchased a preset number.
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