Employers are offering everything from on-site yoga classes to discounted gym memberships in order to help their workers get healthier, as obesity becomes a growing issue. Area insurers and employer wellness experts say companies are increasingly setting up wellness programs and offering incentives for employee participation. The increased activity occurs as obesity rates rise, and as health care reform proposes more financial incentive for successful wellness programs. National obesity rates have risen dramatically over the past 20 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last year, 36 states had obesity rates of 25 percent or more. California had a 24-percent obesity rate. Janet Johnson-Yosgott, manager of health promotion for Woodland Hills-based insurer Health Net, said she is starting to see more companies take action. “Wellness is starting to pick up into the employer group mindset,” said Johnson-Yosgott. “We’re getting asked more and more to go out and participate.” David Aguayo, account executive for health and wellness programs for Anthem Blue Cross, said he notices more companies using biometric screenings — such blood pressure and cholesterol screenings — as part of their health programs. Both insurers work with companies to help implement health-focused initiatives, which can range from educational meetings to on-site exercise activities. At Princess Cruises in Santa Clarita, employees have access to on-site classes in yoga, pilates, tai chi, ballet and various other exercise activities, said Karen Candy, spokeswoman for the company. The classes start out free and later are discounted, with some classes costing as little as $12 for a six-session series, she said. The classes are part of the company’s Health Wise program, which it launched during the summer of 2010, Candy said. Through the program, Princess also offers healthy lifestyle seminars, discounts for local gyms and fitness clubs, a Weight Watchers program and vending machines that indicate healthy-choice snacks with green dots, she said. The company, which has about 2,000 employees in Santa Clarita, also has a “Princess Pacers” walking club, where employees can take a stroll on walking routes around the campus. “We provide maps so employees can utilize those courses to take a walk during lunch or during their breaks,” Candy said. “Obviously, we know that finding the time to make time for your personal health goals can sometimes be challenging when you have a full-time job. (The program) makes it much more attainable.” Alicia Tovar, an employee at Pacific Federal Insurance Company in Glendale, said she feels a lot more energetic at work after the employee benefits brokerage firm she works for started attending summer exercise boot camps. Tovar, a receptionist for Pacific Federal, said she has been attending the company’s training sessions twice a week since June. While half the costs of the sessions come out of her paycheck, she gets fully reimbursed each month once she completes seven of the eight-class sessions, which are held at local parks. “I feel a lot better, so since I have a lot of energy, (and) I’m here early in the morning,” she said. “I have lost a few pounds, but mostly I’ve lost inches.” Lleana Guerrero, the company’s supervisor for claims and eligibility, said she and her co-workers have even started taking the stairs more often as a result of the class. The program started after one of Pacific Federal’s employees suggested organizing a group class with her trainer for her co-workers. That’s when Jim Garrison, the company’s president, jumped at the opportunity. Garrison said that after the June program generated a high level of excitement from participants, he decided to repeat for July and August. “They’ve lost weight, they’re in better shape, and they’re healthier,” Garrison said, noting that the class has also improved office camaraderie. “We want to continue this.” Ryan Turnbull, vice president of employee benefits for Poms & Associates’ employee wellness benefit practice, said the best way for employers to set up a successful wellness program is avoid the one-size-fits-all approach. “The employers who are doing it right are taking the time to sit down with their employees and investigate what it is that is going to work for their employees,” Turnbull said. Companies implementing successful programs have the potential of bringing down their insurance costs and receiving funds from their insurance carriers to run the programs, he said. Dole Food Company, based in Westlake Village, is one company that has seen the benefits. “In general, we’ve seen a reduction in sick days and in overall lowering in insurance costs for the company,” said Ben Sussman, senior manager of marketing for the company’s Dole Nutrition Institute. Dole has a cafeteria that serves healthy food for its employees at discounted prices, a full on-site gym with low-cost fitness classes and free healthy snacks throughout the day, Sussman said. Obesity in the Workplace* (“Presenteeism” means lost jobs productivity due to health problems) • $73.1 million – Estimated cost of obesity for U.S. full-time employees • 68 percent of cost due to presenteeism among men • 56 percent of cost due to presenteeism among women Obesity Nationwide • 36 states had obesity rates of 25 percent or more in 2010 • 24 percent of California population obese in 2010 • 20 years of dramatically increasing obesity nationwide
