Worksite Wellness/Health Economics
Health Risks and Productivity
Reduced productivity due to poor physical or emotional health, called presenteeism, may be more costly to organizations than the increase in healthcare costs due to health risks. The University of Illinois looked at the cost of decreased productivity linked to poor health in 28,375 employees. They found that as the number of health risks increased, so did presenteeism resulting in a decrease in productivity.
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Research Highlights
Causes of Cancer World Wide
Reduction in deaths from cancer has not been as successful as progress made with other major diseases. Each year some 7 million people worldwide die from cancer. A recent study sponsored by the National Institute on Aging recommends greater emphasis be placed on prevention, saying, "Primary prevention through lifestyle and environmental interventions remains the main way to reduce the burden of cancers."
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Exercise and Good Mental Health
Two excellent studies were reported this month on the topic of regular physical activity and how it affects the brain and mental and emotional health. The results are encouraging because they provide evidence that we may be able to take an active role in decreasing our likelihood of developing dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and depression - serious mental health problems.
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Exercising For Healthy Bones
The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates 50% of women (25% of men) age 50 and older will experience an osteoporotic fracture. Nearly ¼ of them will die within the year following the fracture. Approximately 90% of hip fractures and 50% of vertebral fractures are associated with a fall. The other vertebral factors in those with osteoporosis spontaneously result from simple activities such as lifting or vacuuming. In the Bone, Estrogen, Strength Training (BEST) study on 197 postmenopausal women, the extended use of calcium supplementation and exercise counteracted the typical loss of bone mineral density (BMD).
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Exercise Intensity Guidelines
How vigorous does exercise need to be to be beneficial? Many coaches used to think that everyone needed to push hard to become fit or healthy. This emphasis on high intensity activity turned a lot of people off. New research shows that even moderate exercise has good health benefits. Most people are also more likely to keep up with an exercise program that is more moderate in intensity. If the activity is too hard and hurts, most people want to quit.
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The Hazards of Inactivity
You often hear the advice, "Be sure to get permission from your doctor before you begin an exercise program." This is good advice for older persons and those with health problems, especially if they are planning a vigorous activity such as running. But you seldom hear the advice, "If you are planning to stay sedentary, it is very important to talk to your doctor first and get their permission."
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Health and Ways of Living Study
The Health and Ways of Living study (also called the Alameda County study) is one of the first studies to show the relationship of health practices to longevity. Outcomes in this study have now been followed for nearly 35 years. This study included 6,928 people living in Alameda County, California. Health data and health outcomes have been collected on this cohort of people from 1965 to 2004. Here are some of the findings still coming from this landmark lifestyle study.
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New Sleep Statistics
Have you been feeling more tired lately? Energy levels seem low? Maybe you need more sleep. New data from the National Center for Health Statistics shows a trend toward getting less sleep. In the last 20 years, all age groups (18-75+) are reporting less sleep. Since 1985, the number of men (aged 45-64) getting only 6 hours or less of sleep has increased from about 22% to 32%, a 45% increase. The increase in women was about 35%. This is an alarming trend.
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Low-Fat, High-Carb Diet Doesn't Result in Weight Gain
Obesity in the U.S. has increased dramatically during the past several decades. Numerous diets have been touted and dietary fads come and go. Many of these "fad" diets tell users to cut down on carbohydrate-rich foods in order to lose weight. To test this idea, researchers designed a 7-year comparison study.
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Sun Exposure, Sunscreen, and Vitamin D
Experts have found that spending 5 minutes in the sun, with 5% of your body exposed, just 2 or 3 times a week can provide your body with much of the vitamin D it needs to protect bones and muscles, and protect against some diseases. There is no vitamin D benefit after 20 minutes in the sun, and the risk of skin damage increases with time spent in the sun.
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Quick Facts
Tea and Ovarian Cancer
Drinking tea daily was associated with a significant decrease in the risk of ovarian cancer in a recent study of 61,057 Swedish women aged 40-79. Researchers observed a 46% lower risk of ovarian cancer in women who drank 2 or more cups of tea per day compared with nondrinkers. Most of the tea consumed was black tea. Tea is a plant, and plants seem to have protective factors. If you are going to have a hot drink, consider tea over coffee.
Reference: Arch Intern Med. 2005;165:2683-2686. Dec. 12/26, 2005.
Protein and Hypertension
In a study of 4,680 men and women aged 40-59 years from 17 diverse population samples in China, Japan, United Kingdom, and the United States, a vegetable protein intake was inversely related to blood pressure. Animal and total protein intake did not lower blood pressure. A diet high in whole-plant foods should be part of any plan to prevent hypertension and related diseases.
Reference: Arch Intern Med. 2006;166:79-87. Jan. 9, 2006.
Traffic Fatalities
The number of traffic fatalities on New Year’s holiday due to alcohol (drinking and driving) was 227. The total alcohol-related vehicle-fatalities for 2005 in the United States was 16,694. This is about 8 times the number of U.S. soldiers killed in the Iraq war since it started. This entirely preventable cause of death occurs every year with few news stories highlighting the tragedy. Resolve in 2006 never to drink and drive. The life you save may be your own.
Reference: Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Pancreatic Cancer and Diet
People who eat the most red meat (beef or pork) and processed meats, such as hot dogs, sausage, and bacon, have the highest rates of pancreatic cancer according to a new, large health study. This study included 190,000 people. Researchers looked at their diet over a 7-year period and found that those eating the most meat had a 50% higher risk of pancreatic cancer compared to those eating the least. Those eating the most processed meats had an even higher cancer rate, 70% higher than those eating the least. Cutting back on these foods may not only reduce your cancer risk but it can also lower your risk of heart disease. For best health, choose more plant-based proteins such as legumes, nuts, soy, etc.
Reference: J Natl Cancer Inst. 2005;97:1458-1465. Oct. 5, 2005.
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Healthy Links
A new report by the Institute of Medicine shows how marketing aimed at children and youth contributes to poor nutrition and obesity. The report gives recommendations to various groups within our society on ways to help fix this problem.
This new website is prepared to help children fight childhood obesity. It provides information and tools for parents and kids to help them achieve and maintain a healthy weight. This site makes fitness and nutrition fun!
Everyone needs guidance and encouragement to live a healthy life. This site explains how to motivate mentally challenged children to become more active and adopt good health practices.
The U.S. government's annual report on the health of the nation is an excellent source of health statistics and trends, with a special report on persons aged 50-65. It includes more than 150 charts showing the health of the nation.
Healthy Recipes
Surprise-Your-Heart Recipes
Be nice to your heart with interesting food. Try recipes accessible through the Portfolio Eating Plan. Combining certain heart-healthy foods—such as fiber, plant sterols and soy protein—in large quantities can help lower LDL cholesterol comparable to first-line cholesterol-lowering drugs. The foods are readily available, and the recipes are easy to make. Recipes include many types of burritos, soups, salads, and grain products (bread, muffins, pancakes) as well as smoothies, gumbo, and other interesting dishes.
Favorite Black Bean Soup
Mix together:
1 16-ounce can black beans
1 can diced tomatoes
¼ cup mild salsa
½ cup chopped onion, first: lightly sauté
½ cup carrots, first: lightly sauté
2 cups water or 1 cup water and 1 can vegetable broth
1½ teaspoons ground cumin
Heat thoroughly. Before serving, blend ¼ to ½ of soup in blender until smooth. Serve with hearty whole-grain bread or crackers and a colorful salad.
Overcoming Legume Challenges
Among plant foods, heart-healthy legumes (peas, beans, and lentils) with their deep roots have the lowest glycemic index and highest protein, soluble fiber, mineral-vitamin range, and B-vitamins including folate. Legumes have many colors and diverse flavors, yet beans offer a few challenges, namely cooking time and digestive ease. Canned beans can help solve the cooking time challenge—just add varied seasonings.
For digestive ease, do not soak beans overnight, and do not over- or undercook them—they’re done when they have no grainy feeling when squished between your fingers. Sort, wash, cover with water, bring to a boil, soak an hour, and cook. Avoid hard water. If flatulence is a serious problem you may want to pour off the water and replace with new water before cooking. The “quick-soak method” of preparation and other practical bean matters are described more fully on Cooking Beans & Grains, a webpage by Vegetarians in Paradise.
The California Dry Bean Advisory Board has a one-page website filled with practical legume information including cooking tips.
Legume Recipes
There are 25 categories of bean and legume recipes at vegweb.com. You'll find 17 consumer-rated split pea soup recipes, and 20 rated navy bean recipes! Scroll down the Beans & Legumes page for a long list of 5-star bean recipes.
Resources
PowerPoint® Slides
Handouts
Other Resources
What's New at Wellsource
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Steps for promoting a successful health assessment Methods for follow-up with participants after the assessment Tools to help you keep your program on track
An accompanying resource CD contains sample promotional materials such as sample images and text, health education content, paycheck stuffers, table tents, posters, sample letters, and PowerPoint® slides.
The Wellsource® Wellness Program Marketing Kit saves you time and money by providing the tools you need to successfully promote a wellness program.
Order the Wellsource® Wellness Program Marketing Kit
For further information on the Wellsource® Marketing Kit, call a Director of Business Development at 1-800-533-9355, or email well@wellsource.com.
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