Workplace and Physical Activity
This web site is designed to help people understand the repercussions of poor health in the work place. It is also designed to help people live healthier lives Physically, Mentally, Spiritually, Environmentally as well as Economically.
USA Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults
Authority in the Workplace and Physical Activity Programs
23 ½ Hour Challenge and Inspiration
United States Key Guidelines for Adults
All adults should avoid inactivity. Some physical activity is better than none, and adults who participate in any amount of physical activity gain some health benefits. For substantial health benefits, adults should do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) a week of moderate intensity, or 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) a week of vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous intensity aerobic activity. Aerobic activity should be performed in episodes of at least 10 minutes, and preferably, it should be spread throughout the week. For additional and more extensive health benefits, adults should increase their aerobic physical activity to 300 minutes (5 hours) a week of moderate intensity, or 150 minutes a week of vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous intensity activity. Additional health benefits are gained by engaging in physical activity beyond this amount. Adults should also do muscle strengthening activities that are moderate or high intensity and involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week, as these activities provide additional health benefits.
Economic losses for the companies in the United States as a whole.
Most individuals do not have the desire to change their ways and studies have shown this to be true time and time again. In the year 2003 treatment for just the seven chronic diseases totaled in at $227 billion. Statistically if an individual has one of the seven chronic diseases the subject will also have other health problems that will only increase this already alarmingly high cost. Society then suffered an additional $1,047 billion in annual economic losses due to members missing work or not preforming well because of their condition. This totals to $1,324 billion in annual costs to the United States. However this is an epidemic so by definition more individuals have become chronically ill since this research has been validated in 2003. Since there is a positive correlation between the number of individuals with a chronic disease and the cost of treatment, the $227 billion of the year 2003 can easily grow exponentially. In the year 2007 it was estimated that if trends continue the annual costs will reach over $3,030 billion by the year 2023. The same effect can be said about society’s economic losses. More importantly this epidemic can be stopped simply by following a few simple guild lines to physical activity.
Authority in the work place
Improving workplace health programs can elevate employee morale, physical activity, lowered health risks, and reduced stress. An analysis of 26 studies combined the results of workplace health programs implemented into companies. This study includes 11 computer databases, 114 journals, 7251 paper, reports, and reviews. All together the combined studies incorporated 38,231 subjects and concluded that workplace interventions improve physical activity, improved health outcomes, work culture, and decreased job stress. One organization that is incorporating wellness programs into some of the largest corporations is Wellness Coaches USA. Wellness Coaches USA (WCUSA) is motivated to improve the wellbeing of workplace employees. They provide face-to-face wellness programs to some of the biggest corporations in the United States including MGM Resorts International. Negligence of workplace health can lead to higher insurance costs, higher turnover rates, low employee self-esteem, and inadequate management, productivity and motivation. These coaches can give assistance with onsite visits for companies but are also accessible by telephone, email, Skype, and text at the state level. Wellness Coaches USA, since established in 2002, has coached over 90% of eligible employees with an average of twelve coaching sessions for each employee. WCUSA had had a 30%-40% reduction in incidence and cost of workplace injury. By the end of 2012 WCUSA improved 43,00 health risks for 35,400 employees that included lowered blood pressure, weight/body fat loss, increased exercise, and reduced stress. Between 2009-2012 over 125, 00 pounds have been lost by all employees utilizing WCUSA. Over 6000 employees increased weekly exercise and 900 employees reduced high risk stress levels in 2012. MGM Resorts International employs 62,000 employees and has had onsite coaches since 2011. The coaches provide information on nutrition, exercise, diet, weight loss, and quitting tobacco use. From January-July 2012, 27,585 one-on-one employee coach interactions resulted in a total weight loss of 2,496 pounds and lower blood pressures and stress levels. All of this contributes to less sick days and more productivity and moral in the company’s workplace.
23.5 hour Challenge and inspiration
Based on a study that took place in the 1990's in Japan, evidence was presented that could help people in the workplace improve aspects of their health. A gas company in Japan by the name of Osaka required their employees to take part in an annual health screening. This lead to the question, if the walk to work were longer, could it reduce a person's chance of developing a high risk disease? In this case, they wanted to know if it could lower a person's risk of getting high blood pressure. It was found that every 10 minutes added to a person's walk to work decreased their risk of high blood pressure by 12%. Under 10 minute walks showed no reduction in a person's chances of getting high blood pressure. 11-20 minute walks showed a reduction in risk by 12% and walks 21 minutes or more, people had a 29% reduction. People in the workplace can improve their health just by adding a little physical activity into their lives. Something as simple as walking a few more minutes a day can make a positive effect. The video 23 1/2 hours gives us an insight on just how much exercise can improve our overall health.
Website Link
An Unhealthy America - Milken Institute
Physical Activity Guidelines - US Department of Health and Human Services