People who don't exercise and suffer the health consequences cost us a lot of money. The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine reported a study that quantified exactly how much greater the annual health care costs were for subjects with certain risk factors and the results are startling and should convince employers and insurance companies to reward those of us who exercise!
Here are the results:
- The most costly risk factor was depression. Those who reported persistent depression had 70% greater adjusted expenses than those who reported no depression. It's important to note that exercise has been shown to improve well-being, self-esteem and control depression. The endorphins and serotonin that is released post-activity instantly makes you feel better.
- Subjects with uncontrolled stress had 46% higher adjusted costs than those who were not stressed. Exercise has also been shown to reduce anger, modify Type A behavior and help to manage stress levels.
- Subjects with high blood glucose levels had 35% greater adjusted expenses than those with normal blood glucose. Again, exercise improves this health risk.
- The other most costly risks in terms of adjusted medical expenses were, in descending order, obesity (+21%), tobacco use (+15%), high blood pressure (+12%) and poor exercise habits (+10%).
Employers who want to save money related to time-off work due to sickness or illness would be wise to implement fitness-related programs and create incentives that encourage employees to become more active.
Various companies have been creative in encouraging their employees to get active. Some host a Fitness Challenge that gives points to employees who take the stairs, eat nutritiously, exercise, and practice stress-related behaviors. They will often award prizes at the end of these types of challenges. Other companies provide a small fitness facility and offer regular fitness classes for their staff.
Even Universities and Colleges recognize the importance of healthy students, professors and support staff and often provide large multi-use fitness facilities and offer a full schedule of various fitness classes.
Some corporations will offer these types of fitness programs or gym memberships for free to their staff while others will apply partial subsidization. By just having the programs available for their staff, companies are definitely doing their part! |
