A Healthy Workplace Reduces Health Care Costs

Obesity in the workplace is part of a growing national trend, one that is growing at an alarming rate. Employers can play an important role in providing a healthy work environment.

(PRWEB) November 12, 2004 -- According to the CDC in 2001, 44 million Americans or approximately one in five were considered obese. Statistics show that in 2004, about 400,000 deaths were associated with obesity and overweight and obesity is second to tobacco use as a preventive disease. Obesity Research, 1998, reveals that obesity is associated with 39 million lost work days; 239 million restricted-activity days; 90 million bed days; and 63 million physician visits. According to Braun Consulting Group, obesity in the workplace is part of a growing national trend, one that is growing at an alarming rate. The Surgeon General reports more than 9 percent of the nations health care expenditures are directly related to obesity, which costs about $117 billion annually. Dr. Dennis Gage, M.D. states that employers can play an important role in providing a healthy work environment and employees also have a responsibility in making healthy lifestyle choices to reduce obesity.

In October 2004, Mr. Brandon Steiner, President of Steiner Sports and Marketing of New Rochelle, NY took the initiative to provide a healthy work environment by inviting Dr. Dennis Gage, M.D. to speak to his employees on healthy weight loss during their staff meeting. Dr. Dennis Gage, Endocrinologist, Obesity Expert, Researcher, and Author of The Thinderella Syndrome: A Practical Guide to Individualized Permanent Weight Loss (Vantage Press, August 2004) says People are enticed by a fantasy world with unrealistic goals." Dr. Gage offers a custom-made group of behavioral interventions, that when applied, will work for each individual. He describes the epidemic of obesity as a social epidemic". It is the combination of attitude towards food and diminished activity that is creating havoc. There is an abundance of junk foods" out there commercially being thrown out to our public. People have become more sedentary in their lifestyle. The answer requires that parents, educators, government, businesses, and the media demand a change in our environment. Dr. Gage also suggested that employees increase their physical activity by using the stairs instead of escalators and parking further away from their office so they can walk more.

After Dr. Gage gave his lecture, Mr. Steiner immediately took positive action by removing the unhealthy snacks from the vending machines in his office and replacing them with healthier snacks and bottled water. Companies who take a pro-active stance will reap rewards such as lower claims on health care costs, savings in their health care costs, improved quality of life, and improved quality of work of employees.

Dr. Dennis Gage is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Clinical Nutrition. Dr. Gage is available for TV, Radio, Lectures, and Interviews. Order his book through Amazon by visiting: www.thethinderellasyndrome.com.

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