Wellness Program Ideas – Weight Management.
Weight management is a major area of both employee interest and need. BMI is the clinical measure that indicates whether individuals are in a healthy weight range or are overweight or obese.
The BMI is a measure of a person’s overall height to their overall weight. Height and weight are measured during the employee health screening. A computer mathematical calculation provides the BMI score.
Ideas for workplace based weight management programs include –
o Have Weight Watchers, TOPS, or other reputable weight control groups meet in your workplace or nearby. Provide such groups before/after work or during lunch. Worker attendance is normally better when personnel can attend either wholly or partially on work time.
Break times could be rolled into lunch break times to minimize employee time away from work duties (with upper-level management approval). Workers typically pay their own fees for class attendance and supporting materials.
o When the wellness program offers incentives based on participation, award a completion gift when staff member has attended a certain number of weight control sessions or activities.
o Supply information regarding community weight control groups.
o Incentives such as cash, tee shirts, plaques, certificates, hours/days off, names on bulletin boards can be given to individuals who write a weight loss contract and meet their goal.
o Establish a worksite commitment to offer alternative healthy snacks at company-sponsored meetings. Healthy snacks like fruit, pretzels, plain popcorn, almonds, and veggies provide demonstration as to the company’s commitment to health and staff member well being.