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Everyone knows the obesity epidemic is on the rise; in fact, over two-thirds of the population is considered to be overweight or obese. While it is now becoming a global public health concern, the rising rates of overweight and obesity are accompanied by a higher risk of diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease and stroke, which cause substantial healthcare costs.
Workplace injuries are higher among overweight or obese employees which results in lower productivity levels, high absenteeism and incur higher health care costs.
Obesity in India has reached epidemic proportions in the 21st century, with morbid obesity affecting 5% of the country's population. Data released by the World Obesity Federation, a community of organizations dedicated to solving the problem of obesity, shows that effectively 5% of the country’s population would be obese by 2025 from 3.7% in 2014.
In past 10 years, the number of obese people has doubled in the country, according to the National Family Health Survey.
According to the Journal of Health Economics, obesity-related expenses make up nearly 20% of all medical costs per year while obese individuals spend 42% more on healthcare costs.
Experts in the healthcare industry have estimated that somewhere between seventy to ninety percent healthcare expenditure is a result of poor lifestyle choices. These problems usually cause chronic diseases, which are expensive to treat.
In the study including 341 employees, researchers found that obese workers experienced the greatest health-related limitations while at work.
According to statistics from Duke University work-related injuries of obese employees are 25% higher, and compensation claims are filed twice as much. The cost of those medical claims are also seven times higher than employees at a healthy weight. Obese employees are also more likely to be absent, averaging ten times more days o for a work injury or illness.
Each additional body mass index (BMI) point above normal weight costs Rs. 16,000 ($222) per year per employee.
Obesity is a chronic condition and there is no ‘quick fix’ solution. This emphasizes the importance of a lifetime commitment to healthy eating and exercise practices. Lifestyle modification, with a reduction of energy intake and an increase in physical activity, is essential in the strategy. An individualized approach to weight management is essential because everyone is different in genetic make-up, lifestyle, behavior and physical activity.
A health coach program helps you achieve your weight goals with guidance from expert nutritionists, doctors and fitness experts. Program pays attention to physical, mental as well as psychological aspects of maintaining a healthy body weight. Diet and exercise plans are individualized and created keeping in mind the needs of an individual.
By focusing on weight management in the workplace, employers are able to foster healthy habits; while increasing employee productivity and lowering potential health care expenses.
An individualized approach to weight management is essential because every employee is different in genetic make-up, lifestyle, behavior and physical activity.
ekincare helps employees achieve their weight goals with guidance from expert nutritionists and health coaches. The program pays attention to physical, mental as well as psychological aspects of maintaining healthy body weight. Diet and exercise plans are individualized and created keeping in mind the needs of an individual.
Weight Management Program implemented by ekincare for one of its clients CGI, revealed that employees experienced a bump in their quality of life. Moreover, the program was effective in cutting health related costs for the organization. Employees who participated in a workplace weight management program—even those without significant weight loss—have reduced health care costs and improved quality of life.
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