Thursday's Thoughts from BLC - #2-08 Obesity Risks

OBESITY RISKS FOR THE PERSON AND THE COMPANY

Commonwealth Fund Study has recently determined that there has been a 60% increase in uninsureds in the USA and 20% of the insured have spent > 10% of gross income on out of pocket medical expenses in the last year. The new Jounal of Obesity confirms that 33% of the USA is obese. Well what is that risk in addition to the expense of being obese or becoming obese?

If you are 30 pounds overweight then your medical expenses increase in the range of $5000 to $21,000 dollars. If you are 70# overweight your medical expenses increase in the range of $15,000 to $29,000. Both categories have a decreased overall survival compared to the national average.

Obese people consume more health care dollars, miss more work, have increased accidents and suffer an overall decreased quality of life.

One concern about working to decrease obesity in your workplace is that your benefits achieved for that employee will be transfered to the new company that the employee may choose. Other than simply doing the "right thing" for your employee, if you actively pursue lifestyle management for your employees you may achieve for yourself and your employee the following:
1. less healthcare dollar expenditure and out of pocket expenses
2. less missed work time
3. less accidents
4. more engaged employees
5. better retention
6. better training experiences
7. lower turover and retraining expense

Simple things like cafeteria retooling, vending machine alterations, stair encouragement and joint gym memberships may start your program and KEEP your employee because of your interest.

Now is the time for you to practice EGDI - Early Goal Directed Intervention - to achieve short and long term expenditures.

Happy Living