Wellness

Contributor:
Elizabeth Johnson, CHC, Health Management Specialist
Hill, Chesson & Woody

In the wake of a recent report that 29.1 percent of adults in North Carolina are obese (more than the median number for the United States overall), the state has taken action to address this problem with a new initiative. The Eat Smart, Move More campaign is dedicated to helping residents of the state make healthy food choices which will in turn promote healthy communities.

Laying out a plan for the next seven years (2013-2020), the campaign clearly states the stark facts about the healthcare burden North Carolina faces under present conditions, including:

Contributor:
Twyla Hutchins, RN, BSN, COHN-S, Compliance Officer
Hill, Chesson & Woody

A recent report comparing the health of Americans to that of people in 16 other countries defined as “rich” – Canada, Japan, Australia and 13 western European countries including Great Britain – found that even though the United States spends more per person on healthcare than any other nation, it finishes last among those surveyed on nine important health measures.

The report by the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, which provide advice to U.S. policymakers, said that Americans rank the worst among the 17 nations surveyed in:

Contributor:
Ellen Tucker, CMCE, Principal, Health & Welfare Consultant
Hill, Chesson & Woody

The American Public Health Association, the Partnership for Prevention and the United Health Foundation have released the 2012 America’s Health Rankings, an annual report which studies 24 health measures to compile a comprehensive perspective on America’s health issues. The report compares factors between all 50 states as part of its review, and North Carolina placed slightly below the national average at No. 33. While that is better than other Southern states except Virginia at No. 21, it indicates the state has much work left to do to improve its overall health.

The report shows that adults over the age of 18 in North Carolina and the United States as a whole share several factors that are having a major impact in healthcare cost increases. These include:

Obesity

Contributor:
Dax Hill, Principal, Health & Welfare Consultant
Hill, Chesson & Woody

The old saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is very appropriate for today’s healthcare coverage plans. Employers and employees are able to pay less if they are proactive in trying to avoid illnesses that can cost thousands or more to treat.

But knowing what you are supposed to do and making it actually happen are two very different concepts. How do you inspire your staff to turn your dreams of prevention into a reality? Here are some suggestions:

Contributor:
Twyla Hutchins, RN, BSN, COHN-S, Health Management Officer
Hill, Chesson & Woody

According to a study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the top five most costly medical conditions among American adults are:

1. Heart disease
2. Trauma
3. Cancer
4. Mental disorders
5. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Another recent survey by Milliman found that the top ten events or conditions that are most commonly expensive to employers by descending average cost are:

Contributor:
Elizabeth Johnson, Health Management Coordinator
Hill, Chesson & Woody

According to experts, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But why is it so important? After six to eight hours of sleep, the fasting body needs fuel and replenishment. Workers who do not take the time to eat a healthy breakfast may lose sufficient energy by midmorning. The first meal of the day makes the biggest difference in whether those hunger pangs and energy slumps will come well before the lunch break.

Aside from starting the day with a large glass of water, what else does the body need to become and stay energized all morning long? Experts all agree that the first meal of the day must have at least three things:

One of the toughest times to stay productive throughout the day is between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. There is no denying the sluggish midafternoon feeling that occurs almost every day for most people. It drains employees and has the ability to highly disrupt their productivity.

So, how do you keep your employees energized after lunch and make sure that their afternoon is just as productive as their morning? The trick is not coffee, energy drinks or soda, but snacks. Contrary to popular belief, snacking is healthy. Snacks provide the extra energy that employees need in order to stay alert and focused. Research suggests that, like a charge for a battery, eating about three meals a day with two or three snacks in between can make your metabolism more efficient.

If you want to increase productivity at your office and have your employees stay focused and energized the entire day, encourage them to snack. Snacks build body chemistry bridges between the time periods of the three primary meals so that blood sugar levels will not drop between meals. They also provide structure to a daily eating plan as well and may help prevent overeating at meals, which is important for weight management.

Contributor:
Elizabeth Williams
Administrative Assistant & Wellness Committee Member
Hill, Chesson & Woody

I have to admit I’ve been a culprit of consuming fake sugar for the simple fact that I think somehow it’s better for you. I wonder why we, as a society, choose to eat things that are altered or processed rather than eat something real, but in moderation? Is it the fear of gaining weight? Are we afraid of the word sugar? And by “sugar” I don’t mean the white processed stuff that we think is sugar. Rather, I’m talking about sugar in raw form from sugarcane.

Contrary to belief, you don’t necessarily need to use white sugar when cooking or baking. Try to use alternatives like raw honey, agave nectar, maple syrup or real fruit juice to sweeten your food. You will be surprised at how good it tastes!  Then, when you have something to eat with processed sugar, it will taste very different to you.

Contributor:
Rob Krieg, JD, CEBS
Principal, Health & Welfare Consultant
Hill, Chesson & Woody

N.C. Prevention Partners has released their 2012 Prevention Report Card. While North Carolina is doing well with tobacco cessation measures with a grade of B, there is still a lot of work that is needed to be done surrounding nutrition (F), physical activity (D) and Obesity (F).

Some interesting findings in the survey this year include the fact that only 10.8% of adults in North Carolina eat the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, and the effect of a poor diet is reflected in North Carolina's adult obesity statistics – a whopping 66% of N.C. adults are overweight or obese. Alarmingly, 30% of children ages 6-11 are also overweight or obese.

Everyone must do their part to help control these alarming rates.  Workplace wellness continues to be on the forefront of employee benefit strategies as groups look for ways to bend the trend of rising healthcare costs causes by unhealthy workers.

Contributor:
Elizabeth Williams
Administrative Assistant & Wellness Committee Member
Hill, Chesson & Woody

Did you know breakfast essentially means breaking the fast? When you wake up in the morning it’s important to get your body ready for the day and hydrate properly. Most people mistake stomach growling for hunger pains when actually your body could be craving water. Your body is made up of 25% solid and 85% water so why not get out of bed a drink a glass of water?

A study from The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, (volume 92 number 8) showed that drinking 500 ml increased thermogenisis (heat production) by 24 percent.  This increase of metabolic activity before a meal will support more efficient digestion and fat metabolism.