Fight obesity, create a healthier workplace
March 4 is celebrated globally as World Obesity Day. And here are the alarming statistics: Obesity has reached staggering numbers. There are 800 million obese people worldwide. This number is expected to reach 1.9 billion by 2035. Of this number, 25% will be children.
Obesity is not just about weight. It affects one’s physical and mental health. It is a chronic disease that leads to serious health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. As much as almost 10% of healthcare costs are obesity related.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health.” They say it’s a chronic disease driven by so many factors that are not all within a person’s control.
While diet and exercise remain the long-term strategy to manage obesity, it is a complex and long-term health issue that calls for support and understanding. Much like religion, you can’t force a person to do something about obesity until they accept that they are accountable to change their lifestyle.
Since many of us spend most of our waking hours in the office, companies have a unique opportunity to promote healthier lifestyles through education and an environment that provides healthier options. The result goes beyond enhancing the well-being of the employee.
A healthier, more productive workforce
A healthier workforce is more engaged, energetic, optimistic, and productive.
Changes in the workplace profoundly affect one’s life. Increased stress levels can impact sleep, anxiety, eating habits, and mental health. Mealtimes can be altered. Access to healthy food might be limited or even restricted. Work-from-home arrangements decrease physical activity due to changes in commute or the added responsibility of childcare and domestic obligations. There is also more idle time for online surfing.
Education is always the first step. Obesity is a medical condition. The risks, causes, and misconceptions about obesity should be tackled in seminars or informational campaigns. Since social support is very important, weight management can be tackled as a department or team initiative rather than just a personal undertaking.
Many times, companies would launch a group class or a health workshop shortly after the annual checkup when all the depressing health status reports come in. While the initiative is a great start, a more long-term program will inspire more employees to choose a healthier lifestyle and stick to it. If the company can’t sustain its weight management or healthy lifestyle initiatives, then it discourages the individual employee from embracing a healthy lifestyle change.
Annual on-site health screenings for body mass index, blood pressure, and metabolic health can trigger awareness of health risks which then prompts a discussion on treatment strategies such as maintenance medication, proper nutrition, hydration, adequate rest, and regular exercise.
The company cafeteria is a convenient place for meals and snacks. It is imperative for companies to provide healthier choices such as less-sugary drinks and non-fried meal options. Balanced meals should be offered and vegetable dishes and fresh fruits should be made available.
The sedentary nature of office work makes it hazardous to one’s health. More than just providing a gym onsite or subsidized gym memberships, an ongoing campaign for more movement in the workplace should be initiated. Use of stairs instead of elevators, parking facilities that require long walks, high tables for work using a laptop while standing up are all simple ways to integrate more activities in the office.
Meatless mondays, fat-free fridays
Some companies do walking meetings, some start the day with stretching and desk exercises, some provide pedometers for daily step inventories, while others remove chairs and replace them with stability balls. Others launch Meatless Mondays or Fat-Free Fridays.
A company should go beyond lip service when it comes to obesity awareness. It should be ingrained in the company culture. Leaders and managers should not just be funding the program or cheering by the sideline, they should be a stakeholder and active participant. They should be the chief fitness or chief wellness officer!
Discussions regarding obesity should not be judgmental or alienating. The problem should be approached with sensitivity and understanding. There shouldn’t be any space for body-shaming. Many obese people grew big over time. They shouldn’t be expected to shed the excess weight too fast. Instead of pegging unrealistic weight loss goals, the focus should be on stress management, emotional well-being, regular exercise, proper nutrition, sufficient hydration, and ample quality rest.
The website www.worldobesityday.org provides practical recommendations for onsite health strategies. The list includes providing fresh and natural food options in the office cafeteria, exclusion of vending machines full of overly processed foods, offering healthy food during meetings by default, making regular physical activity possible, encouraging healthy commutes or “bike to work” by providing shower facilities, providing well lit and clean stairs as well as walking areas.
This World Obesity Day, let’s move beyond awareness. It's time to take action. When a company invests in its employees’ well-being, everyone benefits—physically, mentally, and professionally.
