A new study shows that workplace wellness programs can be effective in helping people lose weight by providing healthier food choices and increasing opportunities for physical activity, particularly if these efforts are designed with the input and active participation of employees. The two-year project — the results of which appear in the American Journal of Public Health — successfully reduced the number or people considered overweight or obese by almost 9 percent.
“Worksites are self-contained environments with established communication systems where interventions that modify food options and provide physical activity have the potential to reach large numbers of adults,” said Diana Fernandez, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., an associate professor in the University of Rochester Department of Public Health Sciences and lead author of the study. “This study shows in particular that when employees are empowered to help shape wellness programs, these programs appear to result in meaningful improvements in health.”
Americans spend on average a third of their lives at work. Work-related stress, the sedentary nature of many office jobs, and the temptation to dip into the bowl of candy on a co-worker’s desk or raid the vending machine for a bag of chips can all contribute to weight gain.
In recent years, many companies have established wellness programs in an effort to improve productivity, decrease absenteeism, and reduce health insurance costs. Recent surveys by the Rand Corporation and the Kaiser Family Foundation estimate that as many as half of U.S. firms have wellness programs or incentivize healthy behavior. While studies have indicated that these programs can reduce employees’ health risk and potentially slow the growth of health care costs, the impact of these approaches on obesity rates has not been studied in depth.
It is estimated that 68 percent of Americans are overweight or obese. Reducing obesity rates — through changing diets and increasing physical activity — is a key target for public health policy as it places individuals at greater risk for conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The researchers worked with a Rochester-based company with sites throughout the Northeastern U.S. Ten different sites were randomized into two groups and the study examined a total of 3,799 individuals. The researchers worked with management and employees in the intervention group to establish workplace programs that focused on healthy eating and increasing physical activity. The control group did not receive any intervention.
In each of the intervention sites, the researchers and the company established employee advisory boards to help them better understand the particular worksite’s culture and determine which approaches would be appropriate and well-received. The authors point to employee involvement as a key factor in driving broader participation.
Dietitians met with cafeteria managers to help them modify recipes so that the same meals could be prepared with fewer calories or in smaller portions. Employees who made healthy choices at the cafeteria or the vending
… Continue reading here.
Diet And Weight Loss News — Sciencedaily
— Courtesy “Science News Daily” (ScienceNewsDaily.com)
My fitness routine for bikini body in time for summer 2015! I quit school?! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJKE06KZZU4 CAN WE GET 10000 LIKES?! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -…
Stamina Spine Corrector Barrel Model 55-4250, 1 ea
PLEASE NOTE: drugstore.com does not currently ship this product to Missouri residents. Orders for this product with a ship-to address located in Missouri will not be processed and customers will be contacted by drugstore.com Customer Care regarding cancellation. The Pilates Spine Corrector Barrel was designed by Joseph Pilates to be used as a way to open the chest and to correct or restore the curve of the spine. As we age, muscles sometimes weaken causing our spine to lose its natural curve. The Spine Corrector Barrel strengthens the abdominal, back and shoulder muscles to keep the spine supple and young. The chest opens, shoulders straighten, and any hump back disappears. An open chest allows for easer, deeper breathing. The Spine Corrector Barrel workout also tones and trims your thighs and strengthens your core or powerhouse. The Pilates Spine Corrector Barrel is used in studi
Price: $
Sold by drugstore.com
Superfeet Trim to Fit Green Boxed Insole Size C Color Green
Athletic and industrial footwear with a removable insole Designed primarily for footwear with a removable insole, the Superfeet Trim to Fit Green Insole provides maximum support and shock absorption. Featuring Agion(R) antimicrobial top cover treatment to reduce bacteria and help prevent foot odor. Agion Antibacterial – Agion’s environmentally-friendly antimicrobial prevention system reduces bacteria on textiles and fabrics, and helps prevent foot odor on Superfeet’s Trim-to-Fit products. Ideal for feet with medium to high arches. Recommended footwear : Running, walking, hiking, alpine and industrial footwear. Size C Color Green
List Price: $ 44.95
Price: $ 44.95
[wpramazon asin=”B000FYZMYK”]
Åndbart/Ultraviolet Resistent/Hurtigtørrende/Anti-statisk – Kort Ærme – Dame -Campering Vandring/Jagt/Fitness/Racing/Fornøjelse
Aktivitet:Fornøjelse Sport,Racing,Fitness,Jagt,Campering Vandring,Cykling,Basketbold,Badminton; Type:T恤衫,Toppe; Stofmateriale:Polyester; Køn:Dame; Taljemål:Naturlig; Top Farve:Lys Lilla,Rød,Grøn; Funktion:Anti-statisk,Hurtigtørrende,Ultraviolet Resistent,Åndbart; Anledning:Fornøjelse Sport,Øvelse,Ydeevne,Udendørs,Indendørs; Størrelse:M,S,XXL,XL,L; Sæson:Sommer; Ærmelængde:Kort Ærme; Vægt (kg):0.15; Pas på Mig:Handvask; Top Længde:regelmæssig; Beklædningsskulderbredde (cm):36 37.2 38.4 39.6 40.8; Brystbeklædning (cm):86 90 94 98 102; Livbeklædning (cm):77 81 85 89 93; Ærmebeklædning (cm):26 28 29 30 31; Elasticitet:Strækkende; Front Længde (cm):57 59 61 63 65; Design:Mode,Klassisk
List Price: 154.0
Price:
Making Time For Exercise
As a certified personal trainer and editor of a popular fitness site, FitnessGear101.com, I’ve heard every excuse in the book when it comes to why people don’t exercise. However, the one that takes the, pardon-my-pun, “fitness cake” is lack of time.
Three Basic Factors To Sexy Abs!
<img style="float:right;margin:5px 0px 5px 10px;" alt="English: Pulldown exercise, which strengthens the arms and back Français : Formation de résistance par un vieillard, Hollywood Ð ÑÑÑкий: ÐневмаÑиÑеÑки ÑегÑлиÑÑÐµÐ¼Ð°Ñ ÑÑга на ÑÑенажÑÑе Ð´Ð»Ñ Ð¿Ð¾Ð¶Ð¸Ð»ÑÑ , ÐолливÑд" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/UPSTREAM_FITNESS-7.jpg/350px-UPSTREAM_FITNESS-7.jpg”> There are three basic factors that will help you lose your belly: strength training (which increases resting metabolic rate), cardiovascular exercise (which […]
Flexibility Training: Stretching Our Way To Better Health
Individuals who want to stay fit and healthy have been incorporating physical activities like cardiovascular training and weightlifting into their fitness routines, almost making exercise the center of their lifestyle. These people are often in a hurry to improve their physique or level of physical fitness that they have forgotten the importance of flexibility training. […]
Agel Exo: How To Fight Disease Causing Free Radicals, Quickly On The Run!
When it comes to our bodies, it’s a huge understatement to simply say that we’re walking miracles. If you think about how we function, and are able to be in a constant state of repair as we walk around doing whatever it is that we do, it’s just an incredible thought. Our bodies have to […]
