Herman Trend Alert: Obesity, Costs, and Wellness

According to the United States Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (www.ahrq.gov), "all US adults could be overweight in 40 years". This frightening forecast is a finding in their government-funded study. Two-thirds of the population is already characterized as being "overweight", so any increase should cause alarm. These new projections, published recently in the journal "Obesity", are based on data collected over 34 years.

By the year 2030, 86 percent of US adults could be overweight with an obesity rate of 51 percent. "Obesity" is defined as weighing 20 percent above the recommended weight for height and age, while "overweight" is defined as weighing "more than is healthy for your age and size". If the trends continue, by 2048, all US adults could be at least mildly overweight.

The study projects weight problems will be most severe among selected groups, notably African-Americans and Mexican-Americans. All African-American women and more than 90 percent of Mexican-American men could be overweight by 2034.

"Genetically and physiologically, it should be impossible" for all US adults to become overweight", said Dr. Lan Liang, a researcher on the study. However, the data suggest, "that is the direction we’re going. This is really intended as a wake-up call to show what could happen if nothing changes", she said.

If nothing does change, healthcare costs directly related to being overweight and obese will double each decade, reaching $957 billion in 2030—accounting for one-sixth of the healthcare dollars spent in the US.

Just telling people to eat less and exercise more is not enough; widespread efforts are needed to improve Americans’ lifestyles and keep their weight healthy. Other suggestions include: "making communities more pedestrian-friendly so that people can walk regularly [and] getting the food industry to offer healthier, calorie-conscious choices". Liang continues: "It really needs to be more than an individual effort; it needs to be a societal effort".

Our belief is that wise employers will continue to provide or upgrade their incentive programs for workers who maintain healthy bodyweight and refrain from engaging in unhealthy activities, e.g., smoking. As other recent studies have proven, wellness programs work.

Source: 'The Herman Trend - August 20, 2008

Alert,' by Joyce Gioia-Herman, Strategic Business Futurist. (800) 227-3566 or...

http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group of Companies, Inc.
Posted by: JoAnn Corley

 

Corporate Wellness and Safeway Grocery Stores

By: JoAnn Corley
On going component of the health care debate is the roll that employers play is promoting health within their populations.  A wonderful model of this is the grocery store Safeway, which President Obama has noted several times in recent speeches.


No matter your opinion regarding a company's participation in the health of their employees, Safeway has demonstrated value in doing so; value both in their both line through lower health insurance premiums, but also in the improved health of their employees.  


AS WE GO TO "PRESS": Safeway, Inc. with 1,775 grocery stores across the US and Canada just announced a new program to further reward employees for healthier behaviors. In the news today is its CEO Stephen Burd talking about their program, its rationality  and implications for healthcare reform. Watch his 16-minute video at:

http://www.safeway.com/IFL/Grocery/About-Us

Safeway's success might very well set the stage for a surge in employers to begin rewarding proper diet and nutrition, more than they already are, because their healthcare costs and workplace productivity will be directly affected by their workers poor choices. 

So here's a viable question: Will the ways in which you handle your own health impact your employment? Definitely worth thoughtful consideration.