The Problem:
The CDC (2021) has found that between 2017 to 2018, the US obesity prevalence was at 42.4%, and has increased from 30.5% to 42.4% from 2000 to 2018, and the prevalence of severe obesity and obesity related diseases increased from 4.7% to 9.2%. In addition to this, obesity has been linked to a variety conditions and chronic illnesses that could all be prevented such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and even some types of cancers. The CDC (2021) firmly states that these obesity related diseases are all leading causes of preventable and premature deaths. It is vital to note the importance of workplace nutrition education programs and the impact of such programs on employee health and company labor costs as well.
According to Chapman (2006), labor costs represent up to 60% to 70% of all operating costs per year for most organizations, so individuals are the company’s biggest asset, and it has been found that healthy individuals are more productive, meet demands more effectively and with less stress, and are more punctual/less absent. According to Finkelstein (2009), the estimated annual medical costs in the US due to obesity and obesity related diseases climbed up to $147 billion in 2008, and medical costs for obese individuals were up by $1,429 more than healthy weight individuals. In addition to this, according to Burtoff (2017) and Martin (2020), 90% of the US’s $3.8 trillion in health care expenditures are for people with chronic and mental health conditions. That means that $3.42 trillion dollars are spent each year on health care expenditures for individuals suffering with chronic illnesses such as obesity and obesity related diseases.
In other words, that would mean that out of the 329.5 million individuals living in the United States, each individual accounts for $10,379 of our annual spending costs yearly for health care. In addition to this, according to Finkelstein et al (2009), obesity costs the US health care system approximately $147 billion per year, which equates to $2,100 per year on healthcare costs per individual (solely on obesity care) for the 70 million individuals suffering from obesity and obesity related chronic illnesses in the US. If thinking about it on a daily basis, the $3.42 trillion dollars spent a year on health care would equate to over $9 billion dollars spent each day!
The Priority Population:
Obesity and obesity related diseases are also a big issue of concern for Virginia residents. According to the CDC (2012), the state of Virginia has increased in obesity rates, and went from 29% of adults in the state being obese as of 2012 and has now increased to 32.2% in 2020. The Concord Fitness Center employees are currently at risk for obesity and obesity related diseases due to their under consumption of whole foods such as fruits and vegetables, and over consumption of junk and fast foods in larger than normal quantities. Due to the populations lack of knowledge on portion sizes, and their low intake of whole foods in combination with a higher-than-normal intake of saturated fats and sugars from junk and fast foods, this could lead to increased risks of obesity and obesity related diseases such as heart disease. A study conducted by Anderson et al (2011) found that the prevalence of fast-food consumption is strongly associated with obesity and making nutritional information more readily available and easier to use/understand could help individuals choose more healthful or lower calorie items. In addition to this, the under consumption of fruits and vegetables has also contributed to rates of obesity and developing chronic illness. A study conducted by Nour et al (2018), found that there is an inverse relationship between consumption of fruits and vegetables and weight related outcomes, and eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables could potentially help prevent developing non communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and some cancers.
The Opportunity:
By reducing the consumption of fast food and increasing intake of whole foods while teaching portion control, individuals will be able to build a greater sense of self-efficacy to change their health behaviors more sustainably and effectively, while lowering their risks of developing obesity and obesity related diseases. According to general sources at the Concord Fitness Center and additional research literature/policy documents, the key issue that needs to change in this population is their eating habits as they are at risk for obesity and obesity related diseases such as heart disease. Due to this, the goal of this nutrition program would be to promote nutrition and healthy eating habits in individuals to reduce the rates of obesity and obesity related chronic illness. CDC (2021) found that eating healthy can help prevent, delay, and even manage chronic illnesses, and managing symptoms when prevention is not possible can help reduce economic costs of obesity and obesity related diseases which supports a rationale of creating this health nutrition education program.
General resources at the Concord Fitness Center and additional research literature and policy documents have shown that key issues that should be addressed are eating habits and risk of developing obesity related chronic illness which have impacted the employee’s quality of life and the Company’s annual spending on health care costs for employees. A nutrition education program is proposed to create preventative measures and focus on prevention rather than treatment in order to reduce rates of obesity and combat chronic illness, as well as the costs associated with it. The goals of the program would also include improving employee’s overall quality of life, improving moral, establishing good health as a norm, increasing employee performance and productivity, reducing absenteeism, reducing disability days and claims, reducing health care costs for company and for employees out of pocket, and lastly enhancing corporate image.
The Promise:
Solid evidence has shown that the implementation of nutrition education programs focused on healthy eating behaviors have impacted obesity rates and obesity related diseases in the workplace and communities on many levels. Hassani et al (2020), found that workplace nutrition education programs can improve nutrition knowledge and reduce important chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases. Sandercock and Andrade (2018), also concluded that worksite wellness programs using motivational theory and relevant content to individual’s needs can result in changes in body composition and overall health status. After reviewing the data, it’s clear that there are significant obesity rates and risks for developing chronic illnesses amongst employees of the Concord Fitness Center. In order to deal with these issues, it has been proposed that a comprehensive nutrition education program based on guidelines provided by the CDC (2012), WHO (2007), and the Wellness Council of America (2006), for successful nutrition education programs be adapted to fit the current working population. The guidelines are as follows:
- Incorporate nutrition and healthy eating into worksite wellness and health promotion programs.
- Offer and incorporate weight management programs into worksite wellness and nutrition education programs, offer health screenings (BM or health risk assessments).
- Design effective workplace wellness programs by taking integrative approached to worker health, support from management and supervisors, tailoring programs based on employee needs and preference, constant evaluation and monitoring of program’s effectiveness, and collaborating with multiple stakeholders amongst others.
Reasons to Believe:
This shows how best practice guidelines could be adapted on a local level within the Concord Fitness Center while keeping in mind how to modify and adapt these guidelines for this specific population’s nutrition education program. A comprehensive nutrition education program has great potential for success at the Concord Fitness Center for several reasons. One reason being having an evidence-based program with updated science to back up claims. Second reason being research showing the impact of similar programs being successful in the US. Another reason would be the workplace providing opportunities for promoting health and decreasing the risks/preventing the development of chronic illnesses. Lastly, the program would be well planned and tailored to the individuals at the Concord Fitness Center. There is no better time than now to invest in the health of the individuals working at the Concord Fitness Center.