We’ve got some good news – and bad news – for those with wellness programs. First, the good news:
Making simple changes to the work environment — like encouraging workers to walk more and offering healthy options in vending machines — have been proven to help prevent workers from gaining weight.
The buck stops there
The bad news? That’s where the benefits stop. These kinds of “environmental interventions” don’t actually help employees lose weight, according to a study published in the March Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Researchers for the study investigated the impact of such interventions at several Dow Chemical worksites.
The conclusion: Small changes to the work environment are great for helping employees maintain their weight. But the changes don’t help them shed any pounds.
So they may help keep healthcare costs from drastically increasing, but they’re unlikely to cut costs.
Takeaway: For more dramatic results, it appears as though employers must be willing to ratchet up their wellness initiatives — via weight-loss, exercise and nutrition programs that spark lifestyle changes outside of work.
What’s working in your wellness program to reduce healthcare costs? Share your successes in the Reply box below.
