Junk food, sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages make up nearly one-third of the daily calories adult Americans consume, recent studies show. So, it's not that surprising that an estimated 64 per cent of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese. Another 15 per cent of children are overweight and 40 per cent are unfit.

The upshot? An "obesity epidemic" that's having a huge impact on the workplace. Chronic health conditions associated with being significantly overweight or obese such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and several kinds of cancers translate into big health care costs to employers - an estimated $12.7 billion annually.

In response, employers are ratcheting up their efforts to confront the issue. At least 80 per cent of small employers and almost all larger employers are seeking ways to encourage their employees to adopt healthier lifestyles through weight and fitness programs. (See Side Story)

"Obesity is the next frontier as far as workplace issues are concerned," said Peter Burki, CEO of LifeCare® Inc., a Westport, Connecticut-based national employee benefits organization. "Proactive employers are meeting it head on and doing everything they can to support their employees through it. It's just tremendously important that employers recognize that their employees need help with this."

Experts attribute the obesity epidemic in this country not only to personal choices, but also to the intense food industry advertising that all of us are subjected to from our childhoods. Unfortunately, those employees who've developed bad eating habits at home often take them into the workplace. If an employer offers little or no on-site food alternatives besides highly advertised junk food and if the stresses of the job become too overwhelming, then the workplace can exacerbate the problem.

"One of the biggest gripes we are hearing from employers around the issues of diet, nutrition and exercise are the types of foods in vending machines," Burki said. "Nearly everything in there is absolute junk food to the highest degree. Obviously, much of the snack food industry is not yet supportive of healthy choices."

Rising levels of stress among American workers can also contribute to the obesity epidemic. In the wake of corporate down-sizing, many employees are being asked to shoulder work left by former employees and work longer hours. A recent LifeCare poll showed that 44 per cent of employees felt they didn't have enough time for exercise and healthy meal planning. And fifty-four per cent of employees said their job was more stressful than a year ago, according to a recent CIGNA Behavioral Health survey.

Both statistics bode ill for helping employees stay fitter and trimmer. Higher levels of stress and anxiety often lead to overeating, while working long hours wreak havoc on healthy eating and exercise.

Experts often disagree about how to solve the problem of obesity. Some encourage employers to emphasize improving diet and nutrition through a variety of weight control assistance programs such as Weight Watchers or a Web site where employees can track their calories. If nothing else, a weight control program can help an employee keep from gaining more weight, the argument goes. In any case, so many diseases are associated with a higher BMI (a ratio of height to weight), employees and employers just cannot afford to give up on weight loss efforts.

Other experts disagree. They argue that weight loss programs are an exercise in futility. Citing discouraging data about the tendency to lose weight only to regain it within a couple of years, they say employers should instead encourage their employees to improve their fitness by offering discounts at fitness programs as well as flex hours that allow employees to exercise regularly.

Of course, the best outcome is to help employees become fitter and trimmer. To accomplish both goals, employers may need to provide all of the above.

"Any time an employer institutes a health and wellness program they're going to reap the benefits of a healthier and more productive work force," Burki said.

Whatever approach an employer takes, keep in mind that many overweight or obese employees are affected emotionally by their condition. They can feel self-conscious, withdrawn, anxious and even depressed.

"You should approach all employees respectfully," said Gail Jern, Westaff's Human Resources Representative. "Remember that no one would choose to be obese. Being supportive of all your employees' efforts to improve their health and fitness without being judgmental or singling anyone out is going to benefit your whole organization."

Sources:

Peter Burki, CEO of LifeCare, Inc., a Westport, Connecticut-based national employee benefits organization that provides Life Event Management Services, including work/life, EAP, legal/financial assistance, time management training and other supportive workplace services.

Gail Jern, Westaff Human Resources Representative