Obesity in AmericaA Growing Epidemic

Workplace Strategies and Solutions

Janine V. Kyrillos, MDDirector, Preventive Health Care Program

Medical Coordinator, Weight Management ProgramThomas Jefferson University

215-955-6180janine.kyrillos@jefferson.edu

Sponsored by Health Advocate, Inc.

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

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

Obesity on the Map

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

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

Definitions of Obesity

Classification BMI (kg/m2) Comorbidity Risk

Underweight < 18.5 Low*

Normal range 18.5 to 24.9 Average

Overweight 25.0 to 29.9 Increased

Obese class 1 30.0 to 34.9 Moderate

Obese class 2 35.0 to 39.9 Severe

Obese class 3 (Morbidly obese)

40.0 Very severe*risk of other clinical problems increased

Calculate your own BMI: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

Apples and Pears

Waist circumference is tied to cardiovascular risk

Tipping Point:

Men: >40 inches

Women: >35 inches

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

Natural Selection?

Energy Balance

Helping Shift the Balance of Energy

Lifestyle modification Mindful eating Exercise Healthy self-talk Diets

Medication Surgery

An Informed Approach

Recognize as chronic disease Responsibility exists at many levels Prevention as individual and society Can make impact in workplace

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

Workplace Solutions:A Range of Options

Education Community resources Getting involved Inexpensive approaches

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

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

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

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

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

Additional Strategies

Wellness programs with onsite or online wellness coaches are effective

Incentives Ongoing reminders through newsletters, posters,

speakers Weight management support groups

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

Real Experiences

CDC Highmark Inc. North Carolina Department of Health and Human

Services http://www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/ NEAT!

NEAT

Change Is Not Instantaneous

Questions?

Helpful Websites 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

Call: 1-866-385-8033, prompt 2 (toll-free)

Email:info@HealthAdvocate.com

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Strategies