London, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/15/2014 -- In 2013 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that in the United States “indirect costs of poor health including absenteeism, disability, or reduced work output may be several times higher than direct medical costs, and productivity losses related to personal and family health problems cost U.S. employers $1,685 per employee per year, or $225.8 billion annually” (CDC 2013). Moreover, the CDC reported that for 2013 costs to employers in terms of health insurance claims associated to obesity and related chronic diseases neared $93 billion. (Ibid)

PEOPLE WHO EXERCISE LESS OR HAVE UNHEALTHY DIETS: DECREASED PRODUCTIVITY

Researchers from Brigham Young University, the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO) and the Center for Health Research at Healthways, in Poor Employee Health Habits Drive Lost Productivity, quoted findings from a 2012 cross-sectional survey of nearly 20,000 American workers in Population Health Magazine. The results concluded:

- Unhealthy individual lifestyle choices may result in substantially higher levels of lost productive work time, even one unhealthy behavior increases the likelihood of lost productivity

- Employees with an unhealthy diet were 66 % more likely to report having experienced a loss in productivity than those who regularly ate whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

- Employees who exercised only occasionally were 50 % more likely to report having lower levels of productivity than employees who were regular exercisers (Healthways, Inc. 2012).

This year, Health Day, South Africa's premier source for health information, stated, “worldwide there are more than 1.5 billion adults who are classified as overweight, and the prevalence of obesity has more than doubled over the past 30 years” (Health Day. 2014). The results of the study used for their report found, “obesity also was associated with less strength, increased discomfort and declines in task performance and the results were independent of age” (Ibid). The report recommended exercise to increase endurance and strength in order to reduce levels of perceived exertion, discomfort, and fatigue.

WEIGHT LOSS, HEALTHY DIET AND PROACTIVE LIFESTYLE CHOICES: INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY

Increasing the amount of exercise and choosing better diet selections decreases sick days, improves staff performance and reduces losses in productivity associated with poor health and overweight employees.

The CDC report Obesity Prevention and Control stated, “healthier employees are less likely to call in sick, and companies can sometimes assess sick day use as the most direct measure to determine whether health programs are increasing worker productivity” (CDC. 2014). Therefore, efforts to ameliorate employee wellness include workplace health and fitness programs as well as convenient access to current and up-to-date on-line sources to mitigate the financial losses associated with obesity and related chronic conditions. These efforts influence better lifestyle choices and improve productivity through weight loss.

WEIGHT LOSS CAN AFFECT PRODUCTIVITY

Denise Grixti, Personal Trainer and Wellness Coach, in her 2014 WatchFit article, Join the fast track to healthy with a 1800 calorie diet, offered suggestions and expert advice on fast and healthy weight reduction and a way to prevent drops in energy levels, which can lead to lost productivity. Grixti’s plan “provides a good guideline to follow to keep your metabolism running smoothly and avoid the energy slumps through the day” (Grixti, D. 2014). Furthermore, WatchFit professionals offer a myriad of helpful diet and alternative food selections as well as exercise routines, programs, and class suggestions to help people succeed in order to mitigate decreased employee performance and improve productivity through weight loss.

About WatchFit
WatchFit is a health and wellness web platform with an expanding library of top-quality material provided by athletes, coaches and experts across various topics related to health, fitness performance and diet. Watchfit has recently launched a free app, providing entire plans by internationally renowned experts, Olympic medalists, and celebrity trainers, covering all fitness and dietary aims and goals.

Contact: Leslie M. Olsen, MPA
Email: team@watchfit.com
Company Location: London UK
Address: 25 Eccleston Place London SW1W 9NF
Web: http://watchfit.com

REFERENCES:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2014). Obesity Prevention and Control. Retrieved from:
http://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/evaluation/topics/obesity.html
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2013). Worker Productivity. Retrieved from:
http://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/businesscase/reasons/productivity.html
Grixti, D. (2014). Join the fast track to healthy with a 1800 calorie diet. WatchFit. Retrieved from: http://watchfit.com/diet-plans/1800-calorie-diet/
Health Day. (2014). Could your weight be affecting your productivity? Retrieved from:
http://www.health24.com/News/You-might-have-less-power-if-you-are-suffer-from-obesity-20140804
Healthways, Inc. (2012). Poor Employee Health Habits Drive Lost Productivity According to Major New Study of Nearly 20,000 American Workers. Brigham Young University. The Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO). The Center for Health Research. Retrieved from:
http://www.4-traders.com/HEALTHWAYS-INC-8345/news/Healthways-Inc--Poor-Employee-Health-Habits-Drive-Lost-Productivity-According-to-Major-New-Study-14448449/