Giving Incentives for Healthy Behavior

Vegetables

 

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 list and the links to other resources.

Offer incentives to promote healthy behaviors, such as participation in physical activity. Types of incentives include (1,2,3)

  • Financial
  • Days off
  • Employee recognition
  • Medical plan enhancements, such as coverage for weight loss programs and lower co-pays and premiums

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.