ZHL Rajasthan - Here why employers should do something to address employee obesity

 

Covid-19 has taken toll on everybody's mental, physical and emotional wellbeing but there's something much more serious than this which is devastating employee health and wellbeing that is obesity. It’s a common health issue that is defined by having a high percentage of body fat. We see it in the news, in magazines and on social media where we are constantly warned about the dangers of being overweight or what the "perfect" size is with constant reinforcement to an idea to stay fit.

 

Workplace environments can be helpful for the employees who deal with the problems of overweight and obesity. Employed adults spend around one-third of their time at work, so employers have many opportunities to market employee health and foster a healthy work environment. Employers that encourage healthy behaviors, like smarter eating and regular physical activity, benefit alongside their employees. Dr Santosh Datar from Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd says obesity can result in a wide range of illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers and mental health problems as people struggle with self-esteem and identity issues. These illnesses can affect employees’ productivity and can also sometimes cause sickness absence. There are many low-cost ways for employers to assist staff manage their weight but the health screening or check-ups with in-house occupational health or a corporate wellness solution opted by a company works well for the long term. Employers can devise programmes in-house or use external providers like Ziqitza Healthcare to support their efforts.

 Ziqitza addresses how employers can deal with Obesity at the Workplace?

If you are an employer and want to do something for your employee's health and wellness. Then you should definitely pay heed to the most common and rising problem of obesity. Here are some strategies suggested by Ziqitza Rajasthan which will assist you in targeting obesity in the workforce.

1.    Healthy Food Options

   Obesity can be prevented with the basic principles of healthy eating. With simple changes to your eating habits  will help you lose weight and prevent obesity. Workplace stress develops food cravings, and employees reach out to that one place in the office which is the canteens. As we know them, cantinees are home to fast foods rich in sugar which is straightaway unhealthy. Thus, include healthy food options in the menu of your cafeteria and fill vending machines with the same. That way, you encourage your employees to adopt healthy behaviour by making nutritious food available all around along with healthy and motivational quotes around.

2.    Physical Exercise

When it comes to fight obesity, physical activities are the most beneficial. There should be constant movements even if you are at the office by using a standing desk, taking frequent stretch breaks, or finding ways to work in walking meetings throughout your day. Employers need to implement corporate wellness programs which have walkathons ,marathons, office yoga or virtual yoga sessions. Now with the entire work-from-home setup in the scene.It’s more fascinating by bringing the entire team together on a single platform. Diseases will stay at bay as soon as your staff  begins to engage in some form of physical activity daily.

3. Webinars and Workshops

 

Some people eat and do not gain a single pound of weight, while others increase substantially even with low food consumption. This can depend upon several factors. But by understanding some elements one can successfully manage their weight. Corporates can do it easily by collaborating with nutritionists, dieticians and inviting them to hold weight management seminars in the office. By educating the employees about the dangers of becoming overweight. It’s only when your employees learn what impacts their weight and increases their chances of developing obesity can they be accountable and act accordingly. Along with this virtual Zumba, Yoga or virtual group exercise hosted by the corporate wellness provider can be of great help.

 

4. Health Risk Assessment

 

Before proceeding with the fight against obesity, employees must first determine whether they are within a healthy weight range or not. You can find out by offering free health screenings to your workforce via mandatory visits to health facilities as a preventive health check up. These tests help detect chronic illnesses like high blood pressure, cholesterol range, and so on which can go unnoticed .Employees can further use these to identify medical hazards and further take corrective actions to prevent diseases.

Obesity may be a health risk which will cling on to anyone who doesn't maintain a healthy lifestyle. Our food habits and activities are what determine the form and health of our mind and body. Because once we take our health for granted diseases will start to sneak in and it won't be pretty. Our professional and personal lives will suffer as a result.  Ziqitza Limited says if you are an employer you should do your part by getting corporate wellness plans to ensure that your employees are in a healthy atmosphere and encourage your overweight employees to keep their health in check.