As the world grapples with an obesity epidemic the fact is undisputable that if left unchecked it will not only cause endless health problems with the citizenry but cripple economies. Managing the obesity epidemic is not simply a need to ensure the personal health of the citizens but undeniable fact for national economic survival. This is evidenced by the daunting predictions that health care costs will treble by 2015 with estimated national expenditure in the United States alone of $4 trillion, $950 billion associated to obesity as the total figure later approaches twenty percent of GDP. From both the humanitarian and financial bottom-line on the need of managing the obesity epidemic must sit at the task one for the health, fitness and exercise industry.
To solve this problem, a new route must be taken as it is clear ?health and fitness? must be embraced within both the youth market, in both the home as well school systems and the most efficient route to adults, the workplace.
The next series of steps comes in the workplace which in many ways is the classroom for improving the health of the adult population in teaching proper dietary habits and merging exercise into daily lives. Whether sponsored by employers realizing it will reduce employee healthcare expenses or proactive government programs recognizing the same savings, the four major areas to be implemented in the workplace are:
- Offer a financial incentive plan that rewards employees for taking part in a standardized Health Care screening
- Screening streams into free diet plan and exercise plans as well as programs to eliminate smoking and cull alcohol and drug abuse
- Where applicable, make appropriate adjustments to workplace cafeterias such that healthy food options are stressed with the elimination of negative habit forming concerns. This will be controversial to some but one glance at most workplace cafeteria?s will not them as a harbinger of poor grade ?foods? or simply a series vending machine that in-fact propel obesity. Employers, with soaring health care costs must address this issue without further delay as this ?cost? will hit their financial statements quickly as well as harm employee health.
- Offer exercise programs / classes both during and after work hours, with the former well known to not only improve health but worker productivity. This must be company wide as ?wellness programs? can no longer be the sole domain of white-collar or executive branches. This will further involve short breaks particularly in areas that involve manual labour, which will in-turn see a reduction of workplace injury and improving productivity.
While some will find this a massive shift in organizational behaviour in business it creates a significant positive financial incentive for employers and thus makes sense from not only a humanitarian level but from the ?bottom-line?. Studies have suggested that employers with proactive wellness programs reduce health care costs by approximately twenty-five per-cent with a near ten-fold rate of return on the investment.
Summarily, workplace fitness does not improve the health of the population but there is ample motivation for all employers to embrace.
Join us all this week for insights into workplace fitness.
John Davies is available on his personal page on Facebook , Renegade Training??s as well as or Twitter. John?s present stack starts daily with the ?athlete?s advantage?, Modern, Super Cissus, PowerFull and Prime, along with additional use of Recreate, Anabolic Pump and Pink Magic depending upon his training cycle.
Prepared by John Davies
Photo: Tammy Bravomalo
Disclaimer
The information provided in ?Instant Training Improvement Tips?, as well as this web-site blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should it be interpreted as medical advice for any condition. Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program. By reading this disclaimer, you hereby agree and understand that the information provided in this column is not medical advice and relying upon it shall be done at your sole risk
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