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Obesity Prevention & Control in Worksite Settings George Washington University/ICF Research & Evaluation Forum

January 21, 2015

LuAnn Heinen

Vice President, Workforce Well-being, Productivity and Human Capital

National Business Group on Health

Impact of Obesity on the Workplace

• Per capita medical spending an estimated $2,741 higher for people with obesity vs. normal weight, and obesity accounts for nearly 21% of national health expenditures (Cawley & Meyerhoefer, 2010)

• Overweight or obese employees with other chronic conditions miss an estimated 450 M additional work days each year (Gallup, 2011)

• Obesity-related job absenteeism costs $4.3 B annually (Cawley et al, 2007)

• Linear relationship between BMI and rate of workers’ comp claims (Ostbye et al, 2007)

• Association between obesity and lower productivity at work (presenteeism), with an estimated cost to employers of $506 per obese employee per year (Gates et al, 2008)

• Obesity has been linked to lower emotional well-being and higher rates of depression (Gallup Healthways Well-being Index, 2010)

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Employer Strategies

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Obesity Prevention

and Management

Environment

Programs Policies

Environmental Supports for Physical Activity

75%

43%

28% 28%

18%

Onsite FitnessCenters

Outdoor WalkingPaths

Stairwell Signs BikeRacks/Storage

Treadmill Desks

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The availability of convenient places to exercise (walking paths, fitness centers) associated with increased physical activity.

Source: NBGH/Fidelity Investments Survey: Employer Investments in Improving Health, 2013 Survey Report.

Innovative Environmental Design

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Healthy Eating at the Worksite

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Policies

61%

28%

Flexible work time for physical activity Nutrition policy

7 Sources: NBGH/Fidelity Investments Survey: Employer Investments in Improving Health, 2013 Survey Report.

Programs: Prevention to Management

Physical Activity

Healthy Eating

Weight Management

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Physical Activity Programs

9 Source: NBGH/Fidelity Investments Survey: Employer Investments in Improving Health. 2014 Survey Report.

Healthy Dining Programs

Pricing Strategies -Decrease price of healthy items 10%; increase all other items 5% -Geisinger $5 daily entrée (<500 calories) -Buy 9 healthy meals, 10th free

Shopping Rewards --Eat Right (Harvard Pilgrim) --Zipongo

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Employer Challenges

• Average participation in weight management programs is 10%

• Wellness incentives questioned

• Media backlash against worksite wellness and its ROI

• Data and analytics to support value of investment and impact on business outcomes

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To watch LuAnn Heinen’s presentation

online, visit:

www.icfi.com/ObesityPrevention-

LuAnnHeinen

#GWICF2015