Creating Equal Opportunities for a Healthy Weight Workshop Summary (2013) / Chapter Skim
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4 Equity-Focused Approaches to Obesity Prevention in Workplaces
4 Equity-Focused Approaches to Obesity Prevention in Workplaces
Pages 39-48
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From page 39... ...
, was discussed during two different sessions at the workshop: the first, summarized in this chapter, looked at workplace environments; the second, summarized in the next chapter, examined the role of health care providers and insurers in obesity prevention. As noted in Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention, many jobs have become more sedentary in recent decades, and the resulting decrease in energy expended at work has been associated with increased obesity.
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From page 40... ...
member Patricia Crawford, cooperative extension nutrition specialist in the Department of Nutritional Science and Toxicology and adjunct professor in the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley, described the rapid expansion of workplace wellness programs and their potential to improve health. Ray Baxter, Kaiser Permanente's senior vice president for community benefit, research, and health policy, summarized the approaches being used by his company to improve the health of its employees and customers.
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From page 41... ...
Some include obesity management or weight loss programs at the worksite, while others focus on obesity prevention. Crawford explained that workplaces can help reduce the overconsumption of sugarsweetened beverages, deliver messages about physical activity and nutrition, ensure proper labeling of foods, and promote breastfeedingfriendly environments.
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From page 42... ...
At the same time, however, these risk factors also can be modified by a wide range of interventions. Stairways, sidewalks, and traffic features that protect pedestrians can help increase physical activity, for example, while marketing can promote healthy instead of unhealthy products.
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From page 43... ...
For example, culturally grounded health education might include cooking classes or translations of health education materials, while tapping into traditions such as dance or foods can resonate with particular groups. Community partners can bring to bear competencies and models that health care providers may lack.
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From page 44... ...
Physical and Mental Health Care Clinical Prevention Health Education Research Individual / Access to Social Family and Economic Supports Purchasing and Employment Home / School / Walking Practices Worksite Promotion Community Neighborhood / Health Worksite Initiatives Community Wellness Environmental Public Policy Society Stewardship Public Education FIGURE 4-2 Changing deep-seated behaviors requires deploying a wide range of assets. SOURCE: Kaiser Permanente, internal graphic used to outline Total Health efforts.
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From page 45... ...
. The California WIC Association, a nonprofit organization formed by the directors of local WIC agencies, has a WIC Worksite Wellness program whose motto is "work well, be well, live well." To become a wellness worksite, a WIC agency needs to make a commitment to the program, designate a wellness coordinator and team, conduct a staff wellness preprogram survey, complete a 10-step workplan, and request to be certified.
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From page 46... ...
A Health is Wealth advisory board comprising administrative and front-line support staff oversees the program, and the program has enlisted allies to further the agency's wellness activities. According to Anthony, experience with the program has shown that inexpensive steps, such as canvas bags with wellness messages, pedometers, and exercise DVDs for Instant Recess®, can make a difference in helping staff be more active and make better dietary choices.
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From page 47... ...
"We knew that we needed to walk the talk so that we could be role models and cheerleaders for our WIC participants. Therefore, we needed to develop a strategic plan that could have an impact on our staff." -- Sharen Anthony
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