Five Factors to Look for in a Wellness Program
Excerpted from Solving a Weighty Problem: Companies Can Combat the Rising Costs of Obesity in the Workplace, a white paper by Thomas B. Gilliam, Ph.D.

1.     Long-term timeline. It takes about twenty-four months to lose weight and establish healthful lifestyle habits that allow employees to maintain their new bodies. Fad diets and get-thin-quick programs are doomed to fail.

2.     A philosophy centered on small, gradual changes. People cannot transform their lifestyles overnight. Slow and steady wins the race.   

3.     Emphasis on education. When employees understand how weight loss works, as opposed to “following orders,” they’re more likely to buy in and voluntarily make changes. Teach it; don’t preach it.   

4.     A family-centered approach. Today’s children are tomorrow’s workers (and today’s family insurance policy liabilities). Choose a program that helps them eat right and exercise, too.

5.     The fun factor. If employees don’t get to bond with coworkers over recipes, walk together at lunch, or engage in some friendly departmental competitions, they’re less likely to stick to it. Select a program that makes it fun.

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For more information, please contact Dottie DeHart, DeHart
& Company Public Relations, at (828) 325-4966 orDSDeHart@aol.com, or visit www.healthybodyweight.com.