Healthy Living
News
Heart Logo

Smart Ways to Live Well 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Workforce Wellness 

  In this edition of Healthy Living News, learn why developing a  

company-wide walking program is good for your health.    

  

WALKING PROGRAMS 

 

Companies with limited resources (staff and dollars) can still impact behaviors and encourage simple changes.  One of the easiest ways to start on the path to a healthier lifestyle is to incorporate a company walking program. Here are some suggestions to get started:

 

 

1) Encourage fellow employees to walk during their lunch break.  Don't have a trail nearby?  Don't worry.  You can walk around the block or building multiple times.

 

 

2) Track how many times around the route equals one mile.  Walking is an easy activity that employees can do during a lunch break and will help increase energy throughout the work day. Some corporations may have multiple locations. This can make it more fun!  Identify locations/routes to walk and have these posted in a common area for all employees to view. 

 

 

3) You can even give suggestions of your favorite routes near work and then share information about the level of difficulty in mileage or number of minutes.  

 

4) Start a friendly competition with the various locations and customize the program to fit the needs of the various employees across the board.

 

 

Need help getting started? TBR Associates can help you on your way to a healthier lifestyle!  Call us today to incorporate a program to suit your employee needs.


  

 

NEED A REASON TO WALK?


 

It helps control weight

It helps build & maintain healthy bones, muscles, & joints

It promotes psychological well-being

It reduces the risk of developing some cancers

It reduces feelings of depression and anxiety

It reduces the risk of developing diabetes

It reduces the risk of developing high blood pressure

It lowers cholesterol

It helps improve balance and reduce falls

It helps reduce blood pressure

 

WORKFORCE WELLNESS 

According to Thomson Reuters, the six behavioral risk factors used to measure employee wellness include:

 

Biometric Factors

  • Body Mass Index (BMI)
  • Blood Pressure
  • Total Cholesterol
  • Blood Glucose

Other Risk Factors

  • Tobacco Use
  • Alcohol Use

Between 2005 and 2009, the US Workforce Wellness Index worsened,  

declining from 86.4 to 84.4

 

The US Workforce Wellness Index, in 2009, states that approximately 14 percent of incremental direct healthcare cost in the employed, privately insured workforce is attributable to the six behavioral risk factors for which we have reliable national measurements.  This represents approximately $670 in incremental healthcare costs annually per worker.

 

The risk factor with the most impact on healthcare cost is high Body Mass Index (BMI).  High BMI accounts for approximately $400 of the cost associated with measured behavioral risk factors in 2009.  High blood glucose level is the second most significant factor, nearly $150 of these costs. Starting an exercise program and a healthy diet will help descrease these high risks like diabetes and obesity.

 

Risk Factor

High Risk Definition

Obesity

Body Mass Index (BMI) > = 30

Blood Pressure

Systolic > = 140 mm Hg or diastolic >= 90 mm Hg

Cholesterol

Total Cholesterol > = 240 mg/dL

Blood Glucose

Total Blood Glucose >= 126 mg/dL

Tobacco

Currently smoke cigarettes or use any form of tobacco

Alcohol

More than 2 drinks per day

 

For more information on our Healthy Living Program contact TBR Associates today.



Healthy Living News  

Created by  

TBR Associates  

September 2011