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 one of the most common conditions linked to diet, affects a record number of Americans.
The American Journal of Health Promotion estimates the cost of obesity to USA corporation to exceed $12.5 billion in health care, sick leave, and life and disability insurance.
Moreover, one study reports that obesity raises health care costs by 36% and medication costs by 77%. to offset the health risks of obesity and poor diet, many corporations have committed to assisting staff members ensure proper nutrition and undertake weight control programs.
Well-liked nutrition programs –
• Provide staff members with educational materials or courses on proper nutrition provided by a registered dietitian.
• Offer on-site Weight Watchers meetings or other weight management programs.
• Provide nutritious and health conscience meal choices 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 eating 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 healthy weight, many companies might help pay for obesity treatments for employees.
For instance, to improve the health of dangerously obese workers, drug maker Wyeth reportedly pays for stomach-shrinking surgeries that carry price tags of up to $40,000.
A 2003 Society of Human Resource (HR) 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 control. Body fat analysis and Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements are available to workers at any time.
At Grange Insurance’s Columbus headquarters, the cafeteria chef analyzes meals and provides employees basic nutrition information, including Weight Watchers points.
Many businesses partner with the American Cancer Society to offer nutrition information through the “5-ADay” program, which provides companys free signage and educational materials about the importance of consuming 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 has purchased a preset number.
Corporate Wellness Companies