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This week we have reported on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s presentation called Winnable Battles: Nutrition, Physical Activity, & Obesity. The presentation can serve as an effective tool to educate and engage employees in well-run workplace wellness programs, as it “can be tailored for your use by adding specific data, case studies, and other useful information.”

• CDC Resource Supports Focus on ‘Winnable Battles'
• CDC: Tips to Help Employees Walk Towards Improved Health

As part of the CDC resources, the agency also provided data on Adult Obesity. Obesity is a key focus area for any well-run workplace wellness program.

As the CDC states: “Obesity is a national epidemic, causing higher medical costs and a lower quality of life.”

The CDC continues: “Obesity is a contributing cause of many other health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some types of cancer. These are some of the leading causes of death in the U.S. Obesity can cause sleep apnea and breathing problems and make activity more difficult. Obesity can also cause problems during pregnancy or make it more difficult for a woman to become pregnant.”

Among the reasons the CDC gives for obesity increases, many are items that can be addressed through workplace wellness programs:

• “Weight gain occurs when people eat too much food and get too little physical activity.”
• “Societal and community changes have accompanied the rise in obesity.”
• There is too much sugar in our diet. Six out of 10 adults drink at least 1 sugary drink per day.
• Foods high in sugar, fat, and salt are highly advertised and marketed.

The CDC provides this useful graphic on the Medical Complications of Obesity: