Wellness Programs - Focus on Nutrition Programs.

Benefits of Nutrition Programs

Nutrition directly impacts nearly every aspect of physical and mental health. A healthy 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 Wellness estimates the cost of obesity to United States  corporation to exceed $12.5 billion in healthcare, sick time, and life and disability insurance.

Moreover, 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 corporations have committed to assisting employees ensure proper nutrition and undertake weight control programs.

Well-liked nutrition programs -  

• Give workers 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 options in the cafeteria and vending machines.

• Clearly post nutrition information for all cafeteria and vending machine items.

• Offer low cost, healthful, take-home dinner choices for employees 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 corporations address weight management through fitness initiatives, corporations are increasingly focusing on nutrition through separate programming. Recognizing the productivity improve and lowered medical expenditures that come with maintaining a healthy weight, many corporations might help pay for obesity treatments for workers.

For  instance, to improve the health of dangerously obese staff members, drug maker Wyeth reportedly pays 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 loss programs. In Ohio, Honda offers an on-site, registered dietitian who provides individual or group consultations on weight control. Body fat analysis and BMI  measurements are available to staff members at any time.

At Grange Insurance’s Columbus headquarters, the cafeteria chef examines 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 employers 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 workers a free portion of fruit or vegetables after he or she has purchased a preset number.