Posted on: Monday, November 8, 2004

Companies weighing cost of obesity

By Anita Bruzzese
Gannett News Service

Don't be surprised if you are not the only one watching your waist as you add a few pounds over the holiday season.

Employers are beginning to take a very serious look at how overweight employees add to the skyrocketing costs of healthcare — especially because chronic diseases including high blood pressure and diabetes have been linked to obesity.

Because more than half the adult population in this country is considered to be overweight or obese and healthcare costs continue to rise annually at a rate nearly three times the rate of inflation, you can bet employers are concerned about employees' weight.

Still, don't expect your manager to whip out a tape measure in the next meeting and ask that all workers have their tummies measured before adjourning. But do expect a bigger push to promote healthier lifestyles, says Susan Meisinger, of the Society for Human Resource Management.

"We are seeing a greater focus on healthcare design that includes plans offering Weight Watchers and gym reimbursements," she says. "The evidence about how weight impacts health and healthcare costs is becoming very profound."

That means companies that once trimmed programs offering gym memberships as a way to cut costs overall might have found the action a bit hasty. In fact, the Society for Human Resource Management reports that while nearly all benefits in 2003 were cut or reduced, there were increases in the percentage of companies offering benefits or programs for weight loss.

At the same time, employers know they must not only educate employees to impact individual costs, but also to keep a lid on dependent costs. Specifically, as the number of overweight children in this country rises, so do health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

"I do think that the reports about kids and obesity has got a lot more people thinking about themselves and how they live," she says. "I think that has helped to get a lot of people's attention as never before."

Meisinger says that based on surveys of her organization's membership this year, it is clear employers will be looking for ways to offer healthy alternatives and reinforce healthy behavior.

Consider these changes in company behavior:

• Weight-loss programs are offered by 26 percent of organizations, up from 18 percent just five years ago.
• Smoking-cessation programs are offered by 33 percent, up from 28 percent five years ago.
• Wellness and fitness programs are offered by 56 percent, an increase of 51 percent from five years ago.
• Some 30 percent offer fitness memberships subsidies to employees, up from 25 percent five years ago.

So, don't be surprised if the holiday parties this year are stocked with fruit and veggies — followed by a brisk walk.