Physical Activity Link

Physical Activity Link

By Christy Arnold, B.A.

The link between health and productivity is becoming increasingly more evident. More than half of U.S. adults are overweight, and the prevalence has steadily increased over the years among nearly all racial/ethnic groups. As this trend continues in the United States, health care costs increase both directly and indirectly. Direct health care cost refers to preventive, diagnostic and treatment services (for example, doctor visits, prescriptions and hospital and nursing home care). Indirect costs include the value of wages lost by individuals unable to work because of illness or disability, as well as the future earnings lost by premature death.

Many employers look for ways to increase health, productivity, morale and job satisfaction, while decreasing health care costs, work-related injuries and absenteeism. One answer is providing opportunities for your employees to be more physically active. Lack of physical activity is one contributor to the high prevalence of weight problems and obesity. In addition to helping to control weight, physical activity decreases the risk of dying from coronary heart disease and reduces the risk of developing diabetes, hypertension and colon cancer. Only 22 percent of U.S. adults get the recommended amount of regular physical activity (accumulate 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most if not all days of the week).

Sources: www.niddk.nih.gov

For additional information please contact NIFS at 317.274.3432.