Obesity in America A Growing Epidemic Workplace Strategies and Solutions

1. Obesity in AmericaA Growing EpidemicWorkplace Strategies and Solutions Janine V. Kyrillos, MD Director, Preventive Health Care Program Medical Coordinator, Weight Management Program Thomas Jefferson University 215-955-6180 janine.kyrillos@jefferson.edu Sponsored by Health Advocate, Inc.

2. Overview • 1/3 of U.S. population is obese • 2/3 of U.S. population is overweight or obese • 74% Increase over 10 year period • Costs U.S. companies $13 billion/year • Employers have important roles in addressing this epidemic

3. Outline • Obesity: scope of problem • Contribution to rising healthcare costs • What is obesity? • Role in chronic disease, disability • Workplace strategies and trends • Questions/discussion • Websites/resources

4. Obesity on the Map

5. Obesity Has a Hefty Price Tag • ~$117 billion in 2000 ($61 billion direct and $56 billion indirect) • 6-10% of U.S. health care spending • Health costs >30% higher than normal weight individuals

6. More on the Bottom Line • Costs companies >$13 billion annually • More than twice as many sick days • Disability, workers compensation • Self esteem, emotional factors affect productivity • Costs of accommodations, chairs, keyboards

7. Definitions of Obesity *risk of other clinical problems increased Calculate your own BMI: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

8. Apples and Pears Waist circumference is tied to cardiovascular risk Tipping Point: Men: >40 inches Women: >35 inches

9. Diabetes Coronary artery disease Peripheral artery disease Stroke Hypertension Hyperlipidemia Arthritis Obstructive sleep apnea Pulmonary disease PCOS/infertility Dysmenorrhea Pregnancy complications Gallbladder disease GERD Skin infections Urinary incontinence Depression Eating disorders Social stigma Cancers: breast, endometrial, colon, prostate, gallbladder, kidney, esophagus… Increase in all causes mortality Obesity Major Player in Many Diseases

10. Natural Selection?

11. EnergyBalance

12. Helping Shift the Balance of Energy • Lifestyle modification • Mindful eating • Exercise • Healthy self-talk • Diets • Medication • Surgery

13. An Informed Approach • Recognize as chronic disease • Responsibility exists at many levels • Prevention as individual and society • Can make impact in workplace

14. Why Workplace Solutions? • Workplace can be part of the problem • Employees willing to pay for it • An ideal opportunity for social reinforcement

15. Workplace Solutions:A Range of Options • Education • Community resources • Getting involved • Inexpensive approaches

16. Education Strategies:A Simple Way to Start • Employee newsletter • Informational e-mails • Bulletin boards • Include: • Calories burned from common activities • Mindful eating tips • Local walking/bike trails • Upcoming fitness activities/events

17. Small Changes Each Day Add Up… • Diet over regular soda, 1 can.......15 pounds/year • 1 Candy bar/day...........................26 pounds/year • Skim milk over whole, 1cup..........7 pounds/year • 1Tbs mustard instead of mayo.......9 pounds/year • 2 Scoops ice cream/day................33 pounds/year • Apple juice, 8oz cup.....................12 pounds/year • Orange juice, 8oz cup...................10 pounds/year • 2 Beers/day....................................31 pounds/year

18. Workplace InvolvementPays Off • Scheduling physical breaks during the day • Onsite wellness centers, exercise/walking trails • Stress management programs • Encourage walking/biking to/from work and during breaks • Memberships or discounts to health clubs • Walking clubs, weight loss competitions

19. Inexpensive Approaches for Better Nutrition • Offering healthier food choices at reasonable prices • Provide nutritional info in cafeteria • Provide healthier snacks at meetings and other employee events • Provide bottled water and healthier items in vending machines

20. Create a Healthy Work Environment • Encourage employees to use stairways • Discourage employees from eating at their desks • Support physical activity breaks during the workday • Offer alternative work schedules • Have a weekly casual day • Provide enough time for lunch so employees can walk or use the gym and don’t eat in a rush

21. Additional Strategies • Wellness programs with onsite or online wellness coaches are effective • Incentives • Ongoing reminders through newsletters, posters, speakers • Weight management support groups

22. Partner with Community Resources • Local speakers or personal trainers • Walk-a-thons, bike-a-thons • Health fairs • Onsite employee meetings with Overeaters Anonymous or Weight Watchers

23. Real Experiences • CDC • Highmark Inc. • North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services • http://www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/ • NEAT!

24. NEAT

25. Change Is Not Instantaneous

26. Questions?

27. HelpfulWebsites • Centers for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/index.htm • The Center for Mindful Eating http://www.tcme.org/ • USDA Food Pyramid http://www.mypyramid.gov/ • Weight-Control Information Network http://www.win.niddk.nih.gov/index.htm • Yale University Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/index.html • Other sites: http://www.nutrition.gov/ http://www.smallstep.gov

28. Order your FREE Obesity White Paper and Checklist for Workplace Strategies Call: 1-866-385-8033, prompt 2 (toll-free) Email:info@HealthAdvocate.com