A new report was just released showing that 28 states have grown their obesity rates. 38 states have obesity rates over 25%. The heaviest states are still in the South, and the (relatively) healthiest are mostly in the Northeast and West. Our fair state of California ranks 41st on the list – or 11th healthiest, and one of only 12 states (and D.C.) with an obesity rate below 25% (at 24.4%, that is).
The findings of this report are interesting, and a little scary. I recommend checking it out.
Employers are faced with growing concern and costs associated with overweight and obese workforces. And no, health reform is not going to decrease companies’ health care costs, especially if their employees continue to get more and more unhealthy. We’ve preached on this blog about the necessity for encouraging healthy activities and implementing wellness programs. Honestly, what better time than now? 20 years ago, not one state had obesity levels higher than 20%. Imagine what our country will look like in another 20 years if we don’t start taking action now?
Start small if you have to. A fun and free activity that we recently implemented is twice-daily, 10-minute walks around the building. It gets the heart pumping, the mind clearing, and the lungs breathing. There are so many things that companies can do, and companies have an incentive to help their employees get healthier – healthier employees cost less and are more productive. Employees have a pretty good incentive, too. Just ask anyone who’s tried to ride the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. If that’s not incentive, I don’t know what is.
#1 by Andy on February 5th, 2011
Thanks for sharing the obesity rate report. I was pleased to see that my home state (Colorado) was one of the less obese states. I always chuckle a little, when someone who clearly does not take care of themselves complains about the cost of health insurance. Then they go on to blame the greedy insurance and/or health care industries for this trend. In reality, a large (pun intended) part of the problem is staring back at them in the mirror.
#2 by Affiliated Physicians on July 6th, 2011
Starting small is the way to go. And going with a group can make a huge difference. Having that support system at work makes it easier to create a healthier work environment that everyone can benefit from.
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