The Real Cost of Obesity in the Workplace
Ross Thomson (aka Sympathetic HR Manager)
Oscar (O.C.) or better known as "Oscar Office Chair", was complaining to me recently about his increasingly heavy work loads and longer working hours that he has had to endure over the last few years and was now beginning to show signs of exhaustion. Like any good HR Manager, I asked him for evidence and for suggestions on how to improve things. To help me here he shared some entries from his personal diary...
Diary entry Monday 7.30am: Good morning Lee - nice to see you having such an early start to the working day. Take a seat...Hey steady on there....you said you were going to start that diet this weekend....I don't think so!!!
Oscar's SUGGESTION: Diet programs are just like joining the gym...You can pay your money to join but they won't help unless you actually do the program!!
Diary entry Monday 10:15am: Okay at least now I can have a break and recharge my air cylinder. Come on Lee get up and stretch.....oh no!..no! please don't just sit there and do the emails....for goodness sake at least go and get a glass of water. Give me a break will you!!
Oscar's SUGGESTION: Even small but regular breaks away from your chair all add up to extra calories burned during the day. Even a walk up and down the stairs to the tea room will be a good start.
Diary entry Monday 11.30am: Great idea getting this software initiated micro breaks. Now time for a good stretch and a breather.....what do you mean you've deleted that program!!...I used to so look forward to that big back extension stretch!!
Oscar's SUGGESTION: Doing regular stretches releases muscle tension that tends to build up during periods seated inactivity.
Diary Entry Monday 12.45pm: Finally relief. Lunch time and I can take a break. Thanks Lee. Go and get some good exercise and fresh air. See you at1.30pm. Phew...at last!!
Diary Entry Monday 12.55pm: I don't believe it! Look Lee it's a beautiful day outside...no excuse for you to bring your pie and coffee back in here and sit and surf the net for the rest of your lunch break!! You're really beginning to stress me out!!
Oscar's SUGGESTION: The first law of Thermodynamics states that energy is neither created nor destroyed. Instead energy is converted from one form to another. During exercise, the chemical energy from food intake is converted to mechanical energy. Physical activity is vital for counterbalancing the energy stored from food intake.
Diary entry Monday 3.15pm: I hate this time of the day!!...I am getting sick and tired of the crumbs from the Salt and Vinegar chips messing up my nice fabric cushions. Mind you, they not as bad as the gooey drips from the Toffee Bars. That stuff really gets stuck in my covers.
Oscar's SUGGESTION: Mid afternoon can be a time when the body starts calling: "More Sugar! More Sugar!" Try and resist those sugar cravings and go for some great fruit options, or some of the Low Glycemic Index Foods. For more information see the University of Sydney website: http://www.glycemicindex.com
Diary entry Monday 6.30pm: I really don't care anymore! I have supported you for more hours today than is in my contract. By the way didn't you promise me you were going to leave on time today and do the walking circuit on the way home before it got dark?
Oscar's SUGGESTION: Finding a buddy that is also keen to exercise with can help with your own commitment to keep a regular exercise appointment. If you want help to develop your own exercise program then visit www.activesmart.co.nz
After surveying this evidence there is no doubt about it, Oscar was under a lot of stress from his heavy work load. He made some really great suggestions for change too! However, I wondered if the situation was the same for the rest of my work-force? Oscar had done his research and was able to fill me in here.
HOW BIG IS THE OBESITY PROBLEM?
Oscar explained that no matter how you look at it, obesity is a growing problem in this country.The 2002/03 New Zealand Health Survey reported that:
• One in Five New Zealand adults were obese.
• Obesity in New Zealand adults over 15 years old has increased to 21 percent up from 11% in 1989.
• 27 percent of Maori men were obese.
• 27 percent of Maori women were obese.
• 36 percent of Pacific men were obese.
• 47 percent of Pacific women were obese.
HOW DO YOU TELL IF SOMEONE IS OBESE?
Oscar explained that the most common method for measuring obesity rates is by an index called the Body Mass Index (BMI). Body mass index (BMI) is defined as your body weight (in kilograms) divided by your height (in metres) squared.
To calculate yours go to : www.healthyfood.co.nz/tools/bmi
The Normal BMI range is 18.5-24.9. In New Zealand Overweight is defined as:
• BMI 25.0 to 29.9 for European, Other and Asian adults.
• BMI 26.0 to 31.9 for Maori and Pacific adults.
and Obesity is defined as:
• BMI 25.0 to 29.9 for European, Other and Asian adults.
• BMI 26.0 to 31.9 for Maori and Pacific adults.
WHAT'S BAD ABOUT OBESITY (Other than stressing out your chair?)
Being obese causes an increased risk for developing a number of serious and potentially fatal health problems, including:
• High Blood pressure, hypertension - One-third of all cases of high blood pressure are associated with obesity. High blood pressure is twice as common in adults who are obese than in those who are at a healthy weight.
• High blood cholesterol - 50% more likely to have elevated blood cholesterol levels.
• Diabetes Type 2 - non-insulin dependent accounts for nearly 90% of all cases of diabetes. Researchers estimate that 88 to 97% of type 2 diabetes cases diagnosed in overweight people are a direct result of obesity.
• Congestive heart failure - obesity increases the risk of congestive heart failure, a potentially fatal condition in which the heart muscle weakens, progressively losing the ability to pump blood.
• Heart disease - heart attack, congestive heart failure, sudden cardiac death, angina or chest pain, and abnormal heart rhythm is increased in persons who are overweight or obese.
• Stroke - There is a link between obesity and stroke; this is particularly the case for people whose fat is situated predominantly in the abdominal region. Overweight people are more likely to have high blood cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, but these associations are not the only explanations for the greater stroke rate.
• Gallstones and gallbladder disorders.
• Gout - the condition may develop in people with obesity incidents are remarkably higher, Gout is strongly associated with obesity.
• Osteoarthritis - Obesity may be a major factor in the development of osteoarthritis, particularly of the knee and especially in women.
• Some types of cancer -such as endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon.
• Complications of pregnancy.
• Poor female reproductive health - examples would be menstrual irregularities, infertility, irregular ovulation.
• Bladder control problems - such as stress incontinence.
• Psychological disorders -such as depression, eating disorders, distorted body image, and low self- esteem.
GOSH, WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT OBESITY THEN?
After Oscar explained all this to me, I became concerned for both my staff and our business. Times were tight economically and if our staff were struggling with obesity, they were also likely to have less energy and more absenteeism. This was not good for them, nor the boss who I was supposed to represent!
Oscar explained that in simple terms obesity is generally all about an imbalance between our energy input (i.e. our food intake) and our bodies energy output (i.e exercise and movement). He suggested that I educate staff on what represented a good balance of the two. The most important thing to remember is that even small changes can have a dramatic outcome over a period of time! As a result I have decided to start a Wellness Program at work.
Oscar explained that the best advice I can give an individual staff member who is concerned about obesity is to go and see their Doctor. This person may want to ask the Doctor about their weight and the effect it's having on their health. From there it may mean reviewing the types of food they are eating and the type of life style they are living. This may also mean engaging the services of a Personal Coach or Nutritionist or joining up with a local sports club or fitness centre.
Oscar was thrilled that I took the time to listen to him. He was even happier that I wanted to do something about Lee's obesity. At the close of our interview he reminded me of those (apparently) famous words spoken by Pablo Picasso: "Action is the foundational key to all success."
Oscar is so right!
Ross Thomson is Co-Director of Joyworkz Ltd.
REFERENCES
Ministry of Health website: http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/obesity-key-facts
Healthy Food Guide: http://www.healthyfood.co.nz/tools/bmi
Free on line Health: http://www.free-online-health.com/obesity-illness.htm
Glycemic Index Website: http://www.glycemicindex.com
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