Benefits of Nutrition Programs
Nutrition directly impacts nearly every aspect of physical and mental health. A healthful diet can help protect against such conditions as heart illness, 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 Wellness estimates the cost of obesity to United States business to exceed $12.5 billion in healthcare, sick time, and life and disability insurance.
Furthermore, one study reports that obesity raises healthcare costs by 36 percent and medication costs by 77 percent. To offset the health risks of obesity and poor diet, many businesses have committed to helping workers ensure proper nutrition and undertake weight control programs.
Popular nutrition programs -
o Give workforce with educational materials or classes on proper nutrition provided by a registered dietitian.
o Give onsite Weight Watchers meetings or other weight management programs.
o Give nutritious and health conscience meal options in the cafeteria and vending machines.
o Clearly post nutrition information for all cafeteria and vending machine items.
o Offer low cost, healthful, take-home dinner choices for employees and their families.
o Draw attention to healthy eating habits by providing token incentives, like pencils or ID holders, for achieving five fruits or vegetable servings a day for a week.
Nutrition programs in action
While many companies address weight management through fitness programs, companies are increasingly focusing on nutrition through separate programming. Recognizing the productivity improve and reduced medical expenditures that come with maintaining a healthy weight, many companies might help pay for obesity treatments for employees.
For instance, to enhance the health of dangerously obese workers, drug maker Wyeth reportedly compensates for stomach-shrinking surgeries that carry price tags of up to $40,000.
A 2003 Society of Human Resource Management study shows that 24% of companys offer weight reduction programs. In Ohio, Honda offers an onsite, registered dietitian who provides individual or group consultations on weight management. Body fat analysis and BMI measurements are available to staff at any time.
At Grange Insurance’s Columbus headquarters, the cafeteria chef evaluates meals and provides workers basic nutrition information, including Weight Watchers points.
A lot of companies 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 eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
The program also offers a fruit and vegetable “frequency card” that gives staff members a free portion of fruit or vegetables after he or she’s purchased a preset number.