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Employers Beginning to Reap Benefits of Corporate Fitness Programs, National Business Group on Health Poll Finds

The National Business Group on Health today released a poll of large employers showing the results of their corporate fitness programs.

WASHINGTON, DC. (June 30, 2004) – Corporate America's investments in fitness programs for workers are beginning to pay some dividends, according to a poll of large employers released this week at a major national conference on obesity.

The poll, conducted by the National Business Group on Health, found that more than half (56 percent) of the companies reported increased morale among their workforce as a result of their fitness programs and initiatives. More than one out of four (27 percent) said their fitness initiatives resulted in savings in their health care costs. About two out of ten experienced increased worker productivity and decreased absenteeism. The results, based on responses from 84 large U.S. employers, were released at the 2nd Annual Leadership Summit on Obesity, sponsored by the Institute on the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity.

"More and more employers are seeing the value of helping their workers become and stay fit and trim," said Helen Darling, president of the National Business Group on Health. "Over the past few years, we have seen a growing number of companies implementing various fitness programs aimed at helping workers lose weight, eat healthy and create an overall healthy lifestyle."

Most Prevalent Fitness Initiatives Employers Offer
Type of Fitness Initiative   Percent of Employers
On-site Fitness Center   77 %
On-site Fitness Programs   69 %
Sponsored Fitness Programs   67%
Informational Material on Local Programs   60 %
Web-based Tools for Tracking and Information    38%

The survey was developed by Joyce Young, M.D, Regional Director of Well-being, at IBM. IBM is one of the nations earliest leaders in corporate Americas movement to ensure the health and productivity of their workers and the health and well-being of their families through comprehensive wellness programs.

"Obesity costs U.S. employers more than $13 billion annually and it also adversely affects the quality of life and health of their workers," says LuAnn Heinen, Director of the Institute on the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity, which one year ago launched a major campaign involving dozens of large employers to develop strategies to combat obesity in the workplace. "A major part of our effort is to look at the role of fitness programs in helping to foster a healthier workplace and a healthier employee."

One of the biggest challenges facing companies, though, is getting more workers to take advantage of their fitness programs, said Ms. Darling. Indeed, about two-thirds of the companies reported that fewer than 25 percent of their workers participate in their fitness programs. Three out of ten reported between 25 and 50 percent of workers participate, while only two percent said more than half of their workforce takes advantage of these programs.

Among the other findings from the poll include:
•   Sixty-one percent of employers require employees to share some of the cost of their fitness initiatives. Twenty-seven percent fund the programs entirely while the remaining respondents require workers to pay the entire cost of the programs.
•   Most companies (84 percent) promote their fitness initiatives on their company intranet. About seven out of ten also use posters, flyers and e-mail to promote their programs.

About the National Business Group on Health
The National Business Group on Health, representing 214 large employers, is the nations only non-profit organization devoted exclusively to finding innovative and forward-thinking solutions to large employers most important health care and related benefits issues. The Business Group identifies and shares best practices in health benefits, disability, health and productivity, related paid time off and work/life balance issues. Business Group members, primarily Fortune 500 and large public sector employers, provide health coverage for more than 45 million U.S. workers, retirees and their families.

About the Institute on the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity
Founded in June 2003, the Institute works with large employers to develop practical and cost-effective solutions to reduce the health and cost impact of overweight and obesity on workers and their families. The Institutes national obesity initiative spurs employers to network with other corporations to raise awareness about the health care cost consequences of obesity, identify and test solutions that have a positive return on investment, and leverage health plans and vendors to implement solutions.

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