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Colorado Physical Activity and Nutrition Program
 
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Defining the Issue

The demands of work and fast-paced lifestyles are taxing healthful eating habits and physical activity. Poor health, due to negative lifestyle behaviors, leads to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, lower morale and higher health insurance costs. 

On average, employer-sponsored health insurance costs rose 11 percent in 2001, and were expected to rise even more in 2002. Currently, health insurance premiums are rising at four times the rate of inflation. Medical care costs consume 50 percent or more of corporate profits. More than 95 percent of America's healthcare expenditures (including the billions of dollars employers spend on healthcare coverage) are committed to diagnosing and treating disease. In fact, preventable illness makes up approximately 70 percent of the burden of illness and the associated costs. 

Each year U.S. businesses spend billions of dollars addressing obesity. Two of the primary causes of obesity are lack of physical activity and excess caloric intake. As technology continues to improve, the need for physical exertion on the job continues to decrease. Meanwhile, the typical workweek consists of 47 hours. In today's difficult economic times, many employees are being asked to work more and produced more in less time, leaving little or no time to plan and prepare healthy meals, or to participate in physical activity.

Fast-paced lifestyles, longer work weeks, family commitments, and other obligations also are driving Americans to eat "on-the-run" more often than ever before. Americans now spend $17 billion more each year on fast food than they do on movies, books, magazines, newspapers, videos, and recorded music - combined. Research indicates that in addition to their 47-hour workweek, American's spend nearly 17 hours sitting in front of a television and an average of 50.6 hours sleeping. This adds up to 114 hours per week of sedentary behavior, which equates to nearly five full days of no physical activity.

Considering the number of hours employees spend at work, worksites have the opportunity to positively influence the health of employees. According to a 1999 National Worksite Health Promotion Survey, 90 percent of U.S. companies sponsor at least one health promotion activity. However, only half of these organizations regard health as a core business value, essential to business objectives. In 2002, the Worksite Task Force conducted a survey to better establish a baseline of worksite wellness activities being provided in Colorado. 

According to the 2002 Colorado Physical Activity and Nutrition Program's Worksite Survey (n=237 companies), a majority of Colorado companies value health promotion activities and offer a variety of services. The following are highlights from the survey:

  • To promote physical activity, companies primarily provide subsidized memberships to fitness facilities, company sponsored recreation leagues and onsite shower/locker rooms. 

  • Only one out of four respondents utilizes outside vendors for wellness program services. 

  • Most companies have vending machines available, but do not offer cafeterias or snack bars.

  • Colorado companies recognize the need for healthy food and beverages in vending machines and offer bottled water, low fat milk and fruit juices. 

Many companies also conduct general health education and behavior modification programs. Although these services are being offered, Colorado companies find it difficult to implement worksite wellness activities due to three primary constraints: cost; physical space, and staffing.