Benefits of Nutrition Programs
Nutrition directly impacts almost every aspect of physical and mental health. A healthful 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 Wellness estimates the cost of obesity to USA business to exceed $12.5 billion in health care, sick time, and life and disability insurance.
Moreover, one study reports that obesity raises healthcare costs by 36% and medication costs by 77%. to offset the health risks of obesity and poor diet, many companies have committed to helping staff members ensure proper nutrition and undertake weight control programs.
Popular nutrition programs –
• Provide employees with educational materials or courses on proper nutrition provided by a registered dietitian.
• Offer onsite Weight Watchers meetings or other weight control programs.
• Give nutritious and health conscience meal options in the cafeteria and vending machines.
• Obviously post nutrition information for all cafeteria and vending machine items.
• Offer low cost, healthy, take-home dinner choices for workers and their families.
• Draw attention to healthy consuming 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 companies address weight control through fitness initiatives, companies are increasingly focusing on nutrition through separate programming. Recognizing the productivity boost and reduced medical expenditures that come with maintaining a healthful weight, many companies might help pay for obesity treatments for workers.
For instance, to improve 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 employers offer weight loss 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 workers at any time.
At Grange Insurance’s Columbus headquarters, the cafeteria chef evaluates meals and provides employees 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 businesss 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 employees a free portion of fruit or vegetables after he or she has purchased a preset number.