Worksite Obesity Prevention Recommendations: Complete List
Obesity Prevention On the Job
Work is a reality of life for the vast majority of people across the globe, and little apart from sleep consumes as much time in people’s days. As with school in youth, the workplace is very much a microcosm of the adult world—filled with elements that promote health as well as elements that diminish it. This makes the workplace an ideal, focused, and efficient avenue for improving health and tackling many of the key contributors to the obesity epidemic.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: LEAN Works! A Workplace Obesity Prevention Program
| Healthy Worksite Initiative | Total Worker Health - Center for Work, Health, & Well-Being, Harvard School of Public Health: Main Website | SafeWell Practice Guidelines: An Integrated Approach to Worker Health
- University of Massachusetts: Stress at Work
- University of North Carolina, Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center: Bike to Work |WalkingInfo.org
- Healthy Weight Checklist: Tips for keeping weight in check
- Global Adult Obesity Trends:Obesity’s numbers continue to rise, in countries rich and poor
- Economic Costs: How to tally obesity’s rising costs
- Health Risks: Obesity ups the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and more
- Toxic Food Environment: How our surroundings shape food choices
- Environmental Barriers to Activity:Where people live and work influences how active they are
Obesity, with its links to many chronic conditions, is a huge drain on individual as well as corporate health. It can sap productivity, worsen mobility and morale, and increase healthcare claims, sick days, and occupational injuries. (1,2) Programs that focus on workplace obesity prevention have been shown to reverse these trends.
Effective programs take a multidisciplinary approach that focuses on providing workers with the knowledge, skills, and support to eat a healthier diet and be more active. This can include nutrition classes, onsite exercise facilities and changing rooms, access to nutritionists and other counselors, and worksite or company-wide policies that provide healthier food options and reimburse exercise-related expenses.
Less apparent policy changes can also be helpful. While most workplace obesity prevention programs focus on helping to create and sustain behavior change in individuals, growing evidence points to some characteristics of the workplace itself as initiators of weight gain and obesity. Things like job stress, overbooked schedules, few breaks, and nighttime work shifts can promote poor eating and little exercise. (1,2) In most companies, job-related hazards such as these are the domain of occupational health, disconnected from worksite health promotion efforts. (3) Programs, policies, and practices that help mitigate these types of working conditions could further boost obesity prevention activities, as could taking a more integrated, holistic approach to workplace health—one the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls “Total Worker Health.” (3,4) The goal is to create a “culture of health,” one that recognizes that worker health and workplace health are intertwined, rather than viewing obesity, job stress, and other personal or work-related health concerns in isolation. (3)
Businesses are always striving to push productivity and curb costs, and many companies—small and large—are realizing that obesity prevention and workplace health promotion programs can have an excellent return on investment. A healthier and happier workforce is also one that helps keep healthcare spending low and productivity high. It’s a win-win that we can’t overlook.
This section of The Obesity Prevention Source summarizes obesity prevention recommendations for worksites, based on a review of expert guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the Wellness Council of America, and others. For more detailed guidance on these recommendations and ideas for putting them into practice, explore the source list on each page, as well as the links to useful toolkits and other resources.
Adding Food and Fitness to Worksite Wellness
Worksite wellness programs that address food and fitness can help employees lose weight. Comprehensive and structured programs seem to have a bigger impact on weight than narrow or unstructured programs. Worksite wellness programs should take a total view of worker health, coordinating health promotion efforts with occupational health.
Here is a summary of obesity prevention recommendations for worksite wellness programs, based on a review of expert guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the Wellness Council of America, and others. For more detailed guidance on these recommendations and ideas for putting them into practice, explore the source list and the links to other resources.
- Center for Work, Health, & Well-Being, Harvard School of Public Health: SafeWell Practice Guidelines: An Integrated Approach to Worker Health
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Healthier Worksite Initiative | TOTAL WORKER HEALTH™: Integrating Health Protection and Health Promotion
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts:Worksite Wellness Program Toolkit
- Directors of Health Promotion and Education: School Employee Wellness Guide
- Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina: Wellness Committee Workbook
Read and print the complete list of worksite obesity prevention recommendations.
| Incorporate nutrition/healthy eating and physical activity into worksite wellness and health promotion programs (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8) |
| Offer weight management programs or incorporate weight management into worksite wellness and health promotion programs (1,3,4,5,9) |
| Offer health screenings, such as BMI screenings or health risk assessments (1,9) |
Design effective worksite wellness programs by
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Worksite Wellness Programs—Source List
1. Carnethon M, Whitsel LP, Franklin BA, et al. Worksite wellness programs for cardiovascular disease prevention: a policy statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2009;120:1725–41.
2. Task Force on Community Preventive Services. A recommendation to improve employee weight status through worksite health promotion programs targeting nutrition, physical activity, or both. Am J Prev Med. 2009;37:358–9.
3. Levi J, Vinter S, St. Laurent R, Segal LM. F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America2008: Trust for America’s Health; 2008.
4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Surgeon General’s Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General; 2010.
5. Wellness Council of America. WELCOA’s 7 Benchmarks of Success: Developing Results–Oriented Wellness Programs One Company At a Time. Absolute Advantage: The Workplace Wellness Magazine. 2006.
6. World Health Organization. The Challenge of Obesity in the WHO European Region and the Strategies for Response: World Health Organization; 2007.
7. World Health Organization WEF. Preventing Noncommunicable Diseases in the Workplace through Diet and Physical Activity: WHO/World Economic Forum Report of a Joint Event; 2008.
8. Anderson LM, Quinn TA, Glanz K, et al. The effectiveness of worksite nutrition and physical activity interventions for controlling employee overweight and obesity: a systematic review. Am J Prev Med. 2009;37:340–57.
9. National Governors Association. Creating Healthy States: Actions for Governors. 2005. Accessed February 2, 2012.
10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Total Worker Health. Accessed April 5, 2012.
11. Harvard School of Public Health Center for Work, Health and Well-Being. SafeWell Practice Guidelines: An Integrated Approach to Worker Health. Version 1.0. February, 2012.
Giving Incentives for Healthy Behavior
Employers can use a variety of “carrots” to promote healthy behaviors. Some keys to success: Tie rewards to behavior change—not to weight. And don’t penalize or stigmatize employees who don’t reach a healthy weight.
Here is a summary of recommendations for worksite obesity prevention incentives, based on a review of expert guidance from the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, The Obesity Society, and others. For more detailed guidance on these recommendations and ideas for putting them into practice, explore the source listand the links to other resources.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: LEAN Works! A Workplace Obesity Prevention Program |Determine Incentives and Rewards
- Wellness Council of America:Incentive Campaigns
- Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity: Weight Bias
Read and print the complete list of worksite obesity prevention recommendations.
Offer incentives to promote healthy behaviors, such as participation in physical activity. Types of incentives include (1,2,3)
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| Offer incentives for using preventive services, such as BMI screenings or health risk assessments (4,5) |
| Offer free or reduced price access to exercise clubs or gyms (2,5,6,7) |
| Do not use weight status as the basis for incentives or penalties (2) |
| Avoid stigmatizing overweight or obese employees (2,8) |
Worksite Incentives—Source List
1. American Medical Association. National Summit on Obesity: Building a Plan to Reduce Obesity in America. Executive Summary and Key Recommendations.; 2004.
2. The Obesity Society. The Obesity Society Position on Employer Incentive and Penalties Related to BMI and Weight Loss 2011. Accessed February 2, 2012.
3. World Health Organization, World Economic Forum. Preventing Noncommunicable Diseases in the Workplace through Diet and Physical Activity: WHO/World Economic Forum Report of a Joint Event; 2008.
4. National Governors Association. Creating Healthy States: Actions for Governors. 2005. Accessed February 2, 2012.
5. Levi J, Vinter S, St. Laurent R, Segal LM. F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America2008: Trust for America’s Health; 2008.
6. Carnethon M, Whitsel LP, Franklin BA, et al. Worksite wellness programs for cardiovascular disease prevention: a policy statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2009;120:1725–41.
7. Lee V, Mikkelsen, L, Srikantharajah, J, Cohen, L. Promising Strategies for Creating Healthy Eating and Active Living Environments. Oakland: Prevention Institute; 2008.
8. World Health Organization. The Challenge of Obesity in the WHO European Region and the Strategies for Response: World Health Organization; 2007.
Creating a Healthy Worksite Food Environment
Offering better-for-you options in the cafeteria, limiting access to sugary beverages, and establishing healthy food policies are some of the ways that worksites can make it easier for employees to eat well during the work day.
Here is a summary of worksite food environment recommendations for obesity prevention, based on a review of expert guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Institute of Medicine, the World Health Organization, and others. For more detailed guidance on these recommendations and ideas for putting them into practice, explore the source list and the links to other resources.
- Boston Public Health Commission:Healthy Beverage Toolkit
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Nutritious Eating Toolkits | Improving the Food Environment Through Nutrition Standards: A Guide for Government Procurement
- University of North Carolina, Center of Excellence for Training and Research Translation: Healthy Food Environments Pricing Incentives
Read and print the complete list of worksite obesity prevention recommendations.
| Create a worksite environment that promotes healthy eating (1,2,3,4,5,6,7) |
| Implement formal worksite policies to promote healthy food and beverages or reduce less–healthy foods and beverages, such as (2,3,7,12) |
Use marketing strategies to encourage healthier food and beverage choices or discourage unhealthy choices at the workplace
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| Promote breastfeeding or pumping, such as by setting up lactation rooms and giving female employees time to breastfeed or pump (3,4,5,13,14) |
Worksite Food Environment—Source List
1. Carnethon M, Whitsel LP, Franklin BA, et al. Worksite wellness programs for cardiovascular disease prevention: a policy statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2009;120:1725–41.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC Guide to Strategies for Reducing the Consumption of Energy Dense Foods. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2010. Accessed February 2, 2012.
3. Institute of Medicine. Local government actions to prevent childhood obesity. Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Sciences Press; 2009.
4. Lee V, Mikkelsen, L, Srikantharajah, J, Cohen, L. Promising Strategies for Creating Healthy Eating and Active Living Environments. Oakland: Prevention Institute; 2008.
5. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Surgeon General’s Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General; 2010.
6. Wellness Council of America. WELCOA’s 7 Benchmarks of Success: Developing Results–Oriented Wellness Programs One Company At a Time. Absolute Advantage: The Workplace Wellness Magazine. 2006.
7. World Health Organization. The Challenge of Obesity in the WHO European Region and the Strategies for Response: World Health Organization; 2007.
8. National Governors Association. Creating Healthy States: Actions for Governors. 2005. Accessed February 2, 2012.
9. The Obesity Society. The Obesity Society Position on Employer Incentive and Penalties Related to BMI and Weight Loss 2011. Accessed February 2, 2012.
10. World Health Organization WEF. Preventing Noncommunicable Diseases in the Workplace through Diet and Physical Activity: WHO/World Economic Forum Report of a Joint Event; 2008.
11. American Medical Association. National Summit on Obesity: Building a Plan to Reduce Obesity in America. Executive Summary and Key Recommendations.; 2004.
12. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC Guide to Strategies for Reducing the Consumption of Sugar–Sweetened Beverages. 2010. Accessed February 2, 2012.
13. Khan LK, Sobush K, Keener D, et al. Recommended community strategies and measurements to prevent obesity in the United States. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2009;58:1–26.
14. Levi J, Vinter S, St. Laurent R, Segal LM. F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America2008: Trust for America’s Health; 2008.
Promoting Physical Activity at Work
Adults need at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week for good health, and may need an hour a day or more to control weight. Worksites can help employees meet those goals by creating an environment that weaves activity into the workday—and into the daily commute.
Here is a summary of recommendations for increasing physical activity at worksites, based on a review of expert guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Institute of Medicine, the World Health Organization, the American Heart Association, the National Governors’ Association, and others. For more detailed guidance on these recommendations and ideas for putting them into practice, explore the source list and the links to other resources.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Physical Activity Toolkits for Worksites
- University of North Carolina, Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center: Bike to Work
Read the complete list of worksite obesity prevention recommendations.
Create a worksite environment that promotes physical activity (1,2,3,4)
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| Implement formal policies that promote physical activity in the workplace, such as policies for exercise breaks or bicycle parking (7,9) |
Promoting Physical Activity at Work—Source List
1. World Health Organization WEF. Preventing Noncommunicable Diseases in the Workplace through Diet and Physical Activity: WHO/World Economic Forum Report of a Joint Event; 2008.
2. Carnethon M, Whitsel LP, Franklin BA, et al. Worksite wellness programs for cardiovascular disease prevention: a policy statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2009;120:1725–41.
3. Lee V, Mikkelsen, L, Srikantharajah, J, Cohen, L. Promising Strategies for Creating Healthy Eating and Active Living Environments. Oakland: Prevention Institute; 2008.
4. National Governors Association. Creating Healthy States: Actions for Governors. 2005. Accessed February 2, 2012.
5. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Surgeon General’s Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General; 2010.
6. American Medical Association. National Summit on Obesity: Building a Plan to Reduce Obesity in America. Executive Summary and Key Recommendations; 2004.
7. Institute of Medicine. Local government actions to prevent childhood obesity. Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Sciences Press; 2009.
8. Levi J, Vinter S, St. Laurent R, Segal LM. F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America2008: Trust for America’s Health; 2008.
9. World Health Organization. The Challenge of Obesity in the WHO European Region and the Strategies for Response: World Health Organization; 2007.
Terms of Use
The aim of the Harvard School of Public Health Obesity Prevention Source Web site is to provide timely information about obesity’s global causes, consequences, prevention, and control, for the public, health and public health practitioners, business and community leaders, and policymakers. The contents of this Web site are not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Web site. The Web site’s obesity prevention policy recommendations are based primarily on a review of U.S. expert guidance, unless otherwise indicated; in other countries, different policy approaches may be needed to achieve improvements in food and physical activity environments, so that healthy choices are easy choices, for all.