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Adults with a BMI of 25-29.9 are considered overweight, while adults with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese.
 
 
Obesity can increase the risk of several types of medical issues including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and other diseases.
 
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TBR News
High Cost of Obesity



April 2017
 

Obesity isn't just a lifestyle issue but it's also a health issue. It is estimated that about 300,000 adults each year die of causes related to obesity, and these numbers are expected to increase as the number of obese people increases.

 

Small changes can have a big impact.

 

Included in our newsletters will be a healthy tip or tool for sharing with employees in your newsletters, break room or email highlighting one healthy step to take.

 

This month's tip-  The Benefits of Water.
Obesity Facts
Obesity can increase the risk of several types of medical issues, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and other diseases. 
 
The problems caused by obesity are only predicted to get worse before they get better. Over the next 10 years, it is estimated that 70-80% of all heart attack deaths will be among people with Type 2 diabetes. Obesity is the number one cause of Type 2 diabetes.

Factors that affect obesity:
  • Genetics
  • Poor diet and lack of exercise
Who is most affected:
  • Low-income people more than higher income people. This may be due to the fact that the least expensive foods have fewer nutrients but often more fat and calories
  • Obesity also seems to affect certain races more than others. 40% of non-Hispanic Blacks and 25% of Mexicans Americans are obese. 
The High Costs of Obesity
Obesity costs businesses more than $73 billion annually in higher health care costs and reduced productivity, according to numerous studies.
 
Obesity-related costs are greater than those attributed to smoking, drinking, and poverty, according to several studies. Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.
 
One in three Americans is obese
  • Obese workers are absent an average of one or more weeks each year than employees of normal weight.
  • Obese employees spend 77% more on necessary medications than non-obese people.
  • Medical expenses are 42% higher for an obese person than for a normal weight person.
The average annual medical costs of an obese person are $1,400 (or 42%) higher than for someone whose BMI is in the normal range.
How do you Beat the Bulge?
There is a strong business case to be made for helping your employees "trim the fat" from their waist line.  It can help improve your bottom line.
 
The more successful programs focus on overall wellness rather than simply dropping the pounds. The focus is less on weight loss and more on behaviors that everyone in the worksite can engage in.
 
When companies focus on healthy behaviors, the return on investment is impressive. A recent survey found that medical costs fell by $3.27 for every dollar spent on wellness programs, and absenteeism costs fell by $2.73 for every dollar spent.   

It is possible to make a significant improvement in health conditions by losing just 5-10% of excess body weight, provided the weight loss is maintained along with the healthy habits that helped lose the weight.
Ready to Start?
Things to consider:
Does the environment support the cause?
Does the employee cafeteria offer plenty of healthy options? 
A successful program requires a commitment from the top, leaders need to embrace the program and model healthy behavior. 
 
Most important, focus your program on encouraging healthy activities:
  • Structure programs to reward employees for engaging in healthy habits
  • Avoid the use of BMI as a basis for financial penalties or incentives
  • Ensure that incentive programs are matched with health plans that cover evidence-based obesity treatment
  • Create a supportive workplace environment that provides opportunities for healthy behaviors
  • Take advantage of the programs offered through the company sponsored health plan.
Tip to consider: What's in your vending machines, healthy snacks or empty calories?
For previous newsletters,visit our website at:
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This update is a publication of TBR Associates, designed to highlight employee benefit matters of interest to our readers.  The information contained in this publication is meant for general educational purposes only.