Help Employees Achieve a Healthy BMI

The obesity rate in America—while still too high—seems to have leveled off according new data from the Centers for Disease Control.

Although this is good news, consider this: One out of every three adults is classified as obese, and two out of three adults are considered overweight.

Experts say obesity is the leading nutritional health problem in America. Excess weight contributes to life threatening diseases such as diabetes, certain cancers, and heart disease. Obesity also contributes to the rising cost of health care in America: An obese employee will cost about $2,500 more in medical expenses compared to an employee with a healthy BMI.

And some employees are at greater risk than others. The prevalence of obesity among men is 32%, and 36% for women.

Motivating employees to want a healthy BMI may be easier than you think.

Start with posters and table top reminders around the office about making good choices, and encourage employees to start moving more and sitting less.

Here are some fast, easy ways employees can get on track toward a healthier lifestyle:

Go H2O. Studies show that replacing two sugary drinks a day with water can save an average of 235 calories, or 1,645 calories a week! Go for plain, pure water, or for a little more taste, look into stocking the vending machine with flavored waters, like Propel Fitness flavored water, Aquafina Splash, or Dasani flavored water.

Put down the salt shaker. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that lowering the amount of salt consumed—by a half teaspoon—could reduce cases of obesity, and other diseases like heart disease. Try adding spices like red pepper flakes, or garlic in place of salt.

Eat better foods. Preparing a meal at home for work means you know exactly what you’re getting (no sneaky trans fats or calories from the drive thru). Incorporate some of these yummy options from the “150 Healthiest Foods on Earth” list: Beets, cabbage, dried plums, pumpkin seeds, Swiss chard, and frozen blueberries.

Exercise, but not every day. Just 30 minutes of physical activity a day several days of the week can ward against obesity. However, according to the 2009 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, those who exercised seven days a week were slightly more likely to be obese (20%) than those who say they exercised five or six days (19%). Encourage a walking program at lunch, before or after work during the week, and take a weekend day off.