Have you ever looked at your break room around 4 pm, particularly if you don't have a cafeteria? What is strewn all around - unhealthy wrappers of food that your staff got from your vending machine. In this age where "wellness" is such a popular term - which do you argue? Hey, they bought it - they made the choice. Or, but our company chose a vending machine contract with a vendor that doesn't provide at least 50% healthy choices? Do you struggle with your leadership arguing that it is the organization's responsibility to implement practices and policies and programs that promote healthy eating? Do you have the facts that there are bottom line benefits to do so?

Employers have figured out that the underlying cost of unhealthy employees is significantly interfering with their ability to run their businesses profitably and productively. The International Labor Organization concludes that better nutrition in the workplace can raise productivity, reduce the sick and curb the number of accidents. By providing education to your staff and motivating them to focus on their health, your organization will have decreased healthcare costs, reduced absenteeism, increased productivity, a better sense of work community, efficiency in time management and elevation in team morale.

So why should work-sites incorporate wellness programs that support healthy eating behaviors.

• Medical costs attributed to obesity and overweight are estimated to be $395 higher per individual per year.
• Obese employees are nearly 85% more likely to experience high rates of absenteeism than normal weight employees
• Every year businesses spend millions of dollars treating adult obesity/overweight related conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and cancer. In fact, obesity may be one of the largest factors behind rising company health care costs.
• Healthy eating programs and other corporate wellness programs are effective at recruiting, retaining and maintaining high quality employees.

So this seems like a no brainier? Wrong. Read more....