Combatting a weighty issue (Guest commentary)

What employers can do about ballooning waistlines

People are getting bigger and unhealthier every year. Too many lifestyles are centered on unhealthy behaviours. Time-strapped, dual-income families opt to pick up fattening, unhealthy fast food rather than prepare a healthy meal at home. Communities are set up to encourage driving rather than walking. Children spend more time surfing the Internet than playing outside. And while most Canadians are not happy about the extra pounds that have settled on young and old alike, they seem to have accepted them.

But now the effects of this unhealthy lifestyle are hitting organizations where it really hurts — the bottom line. A recent article in The Wall Street Journal stated that an obese employee costs General Motors about $1,500 US more in health services each year compared to an employee with a healthy body weight. Since about 26 per cent of GM’s active North American workers and dependents are obese, the problem is costing the company nearly $1.4 billion US more in health-care costs each year.

Canadian companies may not be paying for the bulk of their workers’ health insurance, but obese workers can cost employers money in other ways. Absenteeism and presenteeism caused by obesity-related illnesses are extremely costly to business. Many Canadian companies provide supplemental health insurance, which could be dramatically affected by obesity and related diseases. Employers should encourage all employees to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight in order to reduce skyrocketing costs.

Here are few ways employers can help overweight employees to slim down.

•Be honest about the impact of excess weight: It’s natural to dread these types of conversations, but remember that employees are adults. They can handle it. Tell all employees honestly and directly that it’s difficult to provide higher wages and better benefits when so much of the company’s money is going to support illnesses that could be prevented. Initiate programs that are inclusive rather than singling out obese workers. Instead of offering a weight-loss program, which could anger some employees, offer programs that will help them achieve a healthy body weight. Doing this will include everyone and will be looked at more favorably.

Employees need to know body weight is a contributing factor to rising health-care costs and lost productivity. Although the company provides health benefits, each employee has the responsibility to achieve a healthy body weight and the company will provide the resources to help.

•Offer incentives: Some companies may give small cash bonuses or gift certificates for reaching pre-determined milestones. Others take a team approach and set up friendly competitions between departments. The team that collectively loses the most weight gets rewarded. Other incentives include offering lower premiums on supplemental insurance or lower co-payments on claims for employees who choose a healthy lifestyle. Employees who choose not to take responsibility for their health will get the message when they are paying $1,000 more a year in premiums. Even small incentives are powerful. People like working toward a concrete reward. Be creative. Make it fun.

•Teach employees the basics: The best way to achieve a healthy body weight is to know how to manage body weight. Educate employees on the realities of weight management. Watch for and listen to success stories from employees who have had difficulty in the past losing weight and who have now begun to lose weight permanently.

•Exercise groups: Employees are more likely to sustain an exercise program if they have company. Hire an aerobics instructor to come in before or after work several times a week to lead everyone in a vigorous workout. Start a lunch-hour walking group. Demonstrate to employees how they can integrate physical fitness into their daily routine.

•Link weight loss to larger family issues: No one wants to be obese. But most people want their children to be obese even less. Offering to help employees set a healthy example for their children can be a powerful motivator. When you say, “Look, every time you open a new bag of potato chips and collapse in front of the television, your kids are watching you,” they pay attention. Guilt can be a very useful tool. Ask any mother. Ensure programs include the employee’s spouse and children.

Losing weight can be a very life-affirming experience. People gain confidence and become happier. They see first hand the rewards of working hard to meet goals. Ultimately, this translates to more effective, productive employees who are likely to feel intense loyalty to the employer for helping them turn things around.

Thomas B. Gilliam is founder and president of T Gilliam & Associates in Hudson, Ohio, and co-author of the book Move It. Lose It. Live Healthy. Achieve a Healthy Workplace One Employee at a Time! For more information visit www.healthybodyweight.com.

To read the full story, login below.

Not a subscriber?

Start your subscription today!