Montana Workplace Wellness
“About two-thirds of American adults are
overweight or obese, 55% do not get enough
physical activity, 26% are completely inactive,
and only 25% eat recommended amounts of fruit and vegetables. If diet/physical activity patterns continue worsening at their current rate, these behaviors will soon surpass tobacco use as contributors to mortality."
Currently, smoking is the leading cause of death.
(worksitewellnessinfo.com)
Worksite wellness creates healthy work environments by implementing effective policies and programs designed to support and encourage healthful lifestyle behaviors including increasing physical activity and improving nutrition. Worksites can establish environments plus create policies to eliminate barriers to and increase opportunities for people to live healthy.
Because most adults spend more time at work than anywhere else, worksites are prime venues for producing potentially dramatic results. NAPA's workplace strategies make the healthful choice the easy choice, for employers and employees.
“In 2003, Montana had an estimated expenditure of $175 million due to adult obesity-related medical costs." (The State of Food and Nutrition in Montana 2004; Montana State Advisory Council on Food and Nutrition)
The Benefits
"Employers are becoming more aware that overweight and obesity, lack of physical activity,
and tobacco are adversely affecting the health and productivity of their employees, and ultimately, the businesses’ bottom line. By changing their lifestyles, employees could improve their personal health status and, ultimately, the corporate landscape." (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2003)
Employer Benefits
Implement NAPA’s nutrition and physical activity strategies to improve and enhance the health and wellbeing of your most valuable asset, your employees.
These strategies can potentially reduce overall employee healthcare costs, sick leave/ absenteeism, workers’ compensation, plus disability management claim costs. Other employer benefits may include increased employee morale along with loyalty, increased employee productivity, and increased company image (making it a desirable work environment).
"On average, 2002 health-care costs for an obese person were $1,244 higher than for a person with a healthy weight." (wellnessproposals.com).
Employee benefits:
Implement NAPA’s strategies to create change in worksite climates within six months. These strategies can help improve employee health and job satisfaction. Positive benefits can also include stress reduction and improved well-being.
NAPA’s 4 step model: recruit, develop, implement, evaluate
This model is a flexible, sustainable and low-cost design focusing on accessing healthy food and movement opportunities; increasing policies and procedures that support healthful practices; and encouraging participants with incentives and information. Worksites can select and implement strategies based on their unique needs and their available budget.