Scholarly Peer-Reviewed Readings
Grossmeier, Jessica. "From Return on Investment to Value on Investment of Workplace Health Programs." American Journal of Health Promotion, vol. 30, no. 7, Sept. 2016, pp. 574-576. PubMed, doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000152. Accessed 16, May 2019.
To evaluate the practicality of wellness programs it is important to have a clear view of their monetary cost and return. Jessica Grossmeier touches on the value of investment of Workplace Health Promotion programs. She argues that is it becoming increasingly evident that employee health and well-being has significant impact on factors such as productivity, employee satisfaction with their employer, absence rates, and employee safety (Grossmeier). She states that, "These [factors] are linked to an organization’s profitability, revenue growth, customer loyalty, and market perceptions about the employer," (Grossmeier).
To evaluate the practicality of wellness programs it is important to have a clear view of their monetary cost and return. Jessica Grossmeier touches on the value of investment of Workplace Health Promotion programs. She argues that is it becoming increasingly evident that employee health and well-being has significant impact on factors such as productivity, employee satisfaction with their employer, absence rates, and employee safety (Grossmeier). She states that, "These [factors] are linked to an organization’s profitability, revenue growth, customer loyalty, and market perceptions about the employer," (Grossmeier).
Chambliss, H. O., Finley, C. E., & Blair, S. N. "Attitudes toward obese individuals among exercise science students." Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, vol. 36, no. 3 pp. 468-74. Mar. 2004. Accessed 16, May 2019.
For the past few decades it has been an ongoing discussion about whether or not health and fitness education lead to reinforcing negative stereotypes associated with obesity. Researchers Heather Chambliss, Carrie Finley and Steven Blair performed a qualitative study on individuals who are considered to be the most educated when it comes to health and fitness—Exercise Science Undergraduates. Their study found that students studying exercise science hold a notable bias against overweight individuals. This study is important in the study of the efficacy of WHP programs, since it has also been shown that experiences of fat-bias can lead people to gain weight. If health education and fitness promotion in the workplace leads to fat-bias amongst co-workers, the programs could have the adverse affect on already overweight employees. The fact that this psychology study was done quite some time ago just goes to show that the implications of health and fitness education on societal bias is no newfound information. It's possible that WHP programs are aware of the potential for corruption but choose not to acknowledge it.
For the past few decades it has been an ongoing discussion about whether or not health and fitness education lead to reinforcing negative stereotypes associated with obesity. Researchers Heather Chambliss, Carrie Finley and Steven Blair performed a qualitative study on individuals who are considered to be the most educated when it comes to health and fitness—Exercise Science Undergraduates. Their study found that students studying exercise science hold a notable bias against overweight individuals. This study is important in the study of the efficacy of WHP programs, since it has also been shown that experiences of fat-bias can lead people to gain weight. If health education and fitness promotion in the workplace leads to fat-bias amongst co-workers, the programs could have the adverse affect on already overweight employees. The fact that this psychology study was done quite some time ago just goes to show that the implications of health and fitness education on societal bias is no newfound information. It's possible that WHP programs are aware of the potential for corruption but choose not to acknowledge it.
Readdy, Tucker and Wallhead, Tristan L. "Manifestation of Anti-Fat Bias in Preservice Physical Education Teachers." Physical Educator, vol. 73, no. 3, 2016, pp. 450-70. EBSCOhost, doi:10.18666/TPE-2016-V73-I3-5954. Accessed 16, May 2019.
Tucker Readdy and Wallhead Tristan discuss how anti-fat bias presents itself among physical education teachers in grade school. Over the past few years it has been argued that individuals who are educated on the importance of healthy habits, such as physical activity, are more likely to be biased against those who are overweight. This issue of health-education induced fat-bias is an area of large controversy in the discussion of WHP programs. In their qualitative study, Readdy and Tristan found that there was no greater presence of fat-bias in physical education teachers, which suggests that with the proper outlook, health-education can be delivered without promoting negative fat-stereotypes.
Tucker Readdy and Wallhead Tristan discuss how anti-fat bias presents itself among physical education teachers in grade school. Over the past few years it has been argued that individuals who are educated on the importance of healthy habits, such as physical activity, are more likely to be biased against those who are overweight. This issue of health-education induced fat-bias is an area of large controversy in the discussion of WHP programs. In their qualitative study, Readdy and Tristan found that there was no greater presence of fat-bias in physical education teachers, which suggests that with the proper outlook, health-education can be delivered without promoting negative fat-stereotypes.
Voelker, Dana K, Reel J Justine, and Greenleaf, Christy. “Weight Status and Body Image Perceptions in Adolescents: Current Perspectives.” Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics, vol. 6, 2015, pp. 149–58. PubMed, doi:10.2147/AHMT.S68344. Accessed 16, May 2019.
To judge the ethicality of corporate health promotion it is important to gain a firm grasp on how such an issue would affect all individuals involved. Since many WHP programs extend their sphere of influence to reach the spouses and families of their employees as well, we should understand how health education would affect all members of one's family. In their medical study, Dana Voelker, Justine Reel and Christy Greenleaf study the impact of promoting healthy weight status and ideal body impact on adolescents. Overall, the authors' found that having a negative body image can lead to physical activity avoidance, dysfunctional exercise. In promoting health to the families of employees, it could be detrimental to include an ideology that disproves of certain body types.
To judge the ethicality of corporate health promotion it is important to gain a firm grasp on how such an issue would affect all individuals involved. Since many WHP programs extend their sphere of influence to reach the spouses and families of their employees as well, we should understand how health education would affect all members of one's family. In their medical study, Dana Voelker, Justine Reel and Christy Greenleaf study the impact of promoting healthy weight status and ideal body impact on adolescents. Overall, the authors' found that having a negative body image can lead to physical activity avoidance, dysfunctional exercise. In promoting health to the families of employees, it could be detrimental to include an ideology that disproves of certain body types.
Vartanian, L. R., & Shaprow, J. Q. "Effects of weight stigma on exercise motivation and behavior: A preliminary investigation among college-aged females." Journal of Health Psychology, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 131-8, Jan. 2008. PubMed, doi:10.18666/TPE-2016-V73-I3-5954. Accessed 16, May 2019.
Well Lenny Vartanian and Jacqueline Shaprow elaborate on why it seems that gyms are typically occupied with people that are already in shape, as opposed to people who have yet to get in shape. The two researchers conducted a study on 100 female undergraduates to correlate weight stigma, body dissatisfaction, self-esteem and exercise motivation, with reported exercise behavior, BMI, and the likes (131).
Immediately their results showed that weight stigma experiences were positively correlated with body dissatisfaction and BMI. This shouldn't come as much of a surprise though, since it's also true that the probability of someone experiencing weight stigma goes up with increasing BMI; people who have a high BMI are also less likely to be satisfied with their body.
In studying their results they found that when women experience stigma, not only does their motivation to exercise go down, but they become motivated to actually avoid exercising. Most people will go out of their way to avoid thinking about their weight, even if they gain more weight in the process.
Well Lenny Vartanian and Jacqueline Shaprow elaborate on why it seems that gyms are typically occupied with people that are already in shape, as opposed to people who have yet to get in shape. The two researchers conducted a study on 100 female undergraduates to correlate weight stigma, body dissatisfaction, self-esteem and exercise motivation, with reported exercise behavior, BMI, and the likes (131).
Immediately their results showed that weight stigma experiences were positively correlated with body dissatisfaction and BMI. This shouldn't come as much of a surprise though, since it's also true that the probability of someone experiencing weight stigma goes up with increasing BMI; people who have a high BMI are also less likely to be satisfied with their body.
In studying their results they found that when women experience stigma, not only does their motivation to exercise go down, but they become motivated to actually avoid exercising. Most people will go out of their way to avoid thinking about their weight, even if they gain more weight in the process.
Popular WHP Programs
IBM
"US News & World Report considers IBM’s $300 compensation for employees engaged in “exercising, eating right, not smoking, and filling out a health risk questionnaire” a sterling example of a positive, effective corporate wellness program. After conducting its own health surveys across 18,000 participants, it noted a trend in high blood pressure, obesity, and high blood sugar and set out to prevent employees from succumbing to the associated diseases. This included not only the aforementioned financial incentive but easy access to health assessments, personalized consulting for nutrition and fitness programs, spending $25 million to ensure a healthier work/life balance (particularly for individuals serving as caretakers), and other perks. Perks that have earned IBM a litany of awards and honors as an employee-friendly corporation" (Total HR Management).
"US News & World Report considers IBM’s $300 compensation for employees engaged in “exercising, eating right, not smoking, and filling out a health risk questionnaire” a sterling example of a positive, effective corporate wellness program. After conducting its own health surveys across 18,000 participants, it noted a trend in high blood pressure, obesity, and high blood sugar and set out to prevent employees from succumbing to the associated diseases. This included not only the aforementioned financial incentive but easy access to health assessments, personalized consulting for nutrition and fitness programs, spending $25 million to ensure a healthier work/life balance (particularly for individuals serving as caretakers), and other perks. Perks that have earned IBM a litany of awards and honors as an employee-friendly corporation" (Total HR Management).
Virgin
"As the masterminds behind National Employee Wellness Week, Virgin (and its Virgin HealthMiles initiative [which is now known as Virgin Pulse]) know a few things about making sure workers don’t succumb fully to the stresses of daily responsibilities. Like American Specialty Health, the program isn’t relegated exclusively to the company itself – it also provides solutions for other corporations looking to incorporate their own wellness programs. Prevention stands as the highest priority, so they trumpet healthy eating and regular exercise as essential components of lowering the disease risk. And, seeing as how Virgin nets founder Richard Branson billions annually (or something like that), the folks at HealthMiles know that money talks. So it pushes a “pay-for-prevention” structure that gives employees financial compensation after achieving specific landmarks in their healthy living regimen" (Total HR Management).
"As the masterminds behind National Employee Wellness Week, Virgin (and its Virgin HealthMiles initiative [which is now known as Virgin Pulse]) know a few things about making sure workers don’t succumb fully to the stresses of daily responsibilities. Like American Specialty Health, the program isn’t relegated exclusively to the company itself – it also provides solutions for other corporations looking to incorporate their own wellness programs. Prevention stands as the highest priority, so they trumpet healthy eating and regular exercise as essential components of lowering the disease risk. And, seeing as how Virgin nets founder Richard Branson billions annually (or something like that), the folks at HealthMiles know that money talks. So it pushes a “pay-for-prevention” structure that gives employees financial compensation after achieving specific landmarks in their healthy living regimen" (Total HR Management).
Google
"The Internet icon consistently earns accolades for its employee benefits package, and obviously health and wellness rank pretty high up there as Important Things To Consider. Some Google campuses even keep doctors, nurses, and other healthcare services on site for employee convenience! When traveling, whether for work or for funsies, the company provides insurance and emergency services in the event a serious health and/or safety issue arises. Striking a viable work/life balance also concerns Google employees, so programs specifically for new parents (including bonuses!) and anyone hoping to continue their schooling (including tuition reimbursement!) exist to make sure they don’t sacrifice everything to their corporate overlords" (Total HR Management).
"The Internet icon consistently earns accolades for its employee benefits package, and obviously health and wellness rank pretty high up there as Important Things To Consider. Some Google campuses even keep doctors, nurses, and other healthcare services on site for employee convenience! When traveling, whether for work or for funsies, the company provides insurance and emergency services in the event a serious health and/or safety issue arises. Striking a viable work/life balance also concerns Google employees, so programs specifically for new parents (including bonuses!) and anyone hoping to continue their schooling (including tuition reimbursement!) exist to make sure they don’t sacrifice everything to their corporate overlords" (Total HR Management).
American Express
"American Express provides its employees with one of the most heavily decorated corporate wellness programs anywhere, earning regular applause from the American Heart Association, National Business Group on Health, and other organizations. It calls its initiative Healthy Living (how wonderfully succinct!), and — at its Phoenix branch — employees receive on-site medical care, including dental, dermatological, and well woman exams. They’ve also teamed up with local farms to serve nutritious, sustainable meals (and providing lessons in making them at home!) and even hosted a health and safety fair involving the families so everyone benefited from information regarding preventing diseases and injuries" (Total HR Management).
"American Express provides its employees with one of the most heavily decorated corporate wellness programs anywhere, earning regular applause from the American Heart Association, National Business Group on Health, and other organizations. It calls its initiative Healthy Living (how wonderfully succinct!), and — at its Phoenix branch — employees receive on-site medical care, including dental, dermatological, and well woman exams. They’ve also teamed up with local farms to serve nutritious, sustainable meals (and providing lessons in making them at home!) and even hosted a health and safety fair involving the families so everyone benefited from information regarding preventing diseases and injuries" (Total HR Management).
Facts on Obesity
Further Opinions and WHP controversy
Aldana, Steve. “How Much Wellness Programs Save.” WellSteps Blog, 28 Mar. 2017, Web. Accessed 16, May 2019.
Dr. Steve Aldana is a Medical Doctor, researcher and author of many writings on the impact of workplace wellness programs. In this particular article he addresses critics of WHP programs, and dissects popular arguments that are made when criticizing wellness programs. Aldana proposes that critics of wellness programs make frequent use of misrepresentation of how much WHP programs save companies. According to Aldana, the numbers of how much companies save with WHP programs are released to the public from unaffiliated organizations. He says that these numbers indicate the obvious success of these programs, and the huge amount of money they save.
Dr. Steve Aldana is a Medical Doctor, researcher and author of many writings on the impact of workplace wellness programs. In this particular article he addresses critics of WHP programs, and dissects popular arguments that are made when criticizing wellness programs. Aldana proposes that critics of wellness programs make frequent use of misrepresentation of how much WHP programs save companies. According to Aldana, the numbers of how much companies save with WHP programs are released to the public from unaffiliated organizations. He says that these numbers indicate the obvious success of these programs, and the huge amount of money they save.
Health Program Strategies and Methodologies
Targeting a large population—such as an entire company workforce—can be difficult. Certain messages might be successful in motivating some audiences more than others. In attempting to motivate an entire company to get healthy, it is crucial that programs choose the right message to run with. Therefore, it is important to gain insight on which strategies work best for specific demographics.
Larose, Jessica Gokee, et al. “Differences in Motivations and Weight Loss Behaviors in Young Adults and Older Adults in the National Weight Control Registry.” Obesity, vol. 21, no. 3, Mar. 2013, pp. 449–453. Wiley, doi:10.1002/oby.20053. Accessed 16, May 2019.
Jessica LaRose, Tricia Leahey, James Hill and Rena Wing outline the differences they observed in what motivates young adults to lose weight versus older adults. They found similarities and differences between what motivates the two populations. The authors conclude that there are significant differences between what drives young adults to lose weight compared to older adults. Although both people have common goals, their differences in motivation are significant enough that they should be taken into account when developing strategies for weight loss programs. This is important, as it demonstrates that WHP programs can't operate on a one-side-fits-all strategy. To affectively motivate an entire workforce to either lose weight or simply get healthy they must utilize a multi-dimensional approach.
Jessica LaRose, Tricia Leahey, James Hill and Rena Wing outline the differences they observed in what motivates young adults to lose weight versus older adults. They found similarities and differences between what motivates the two populations. The authors conclude that there are significant differences between what drives young adults to lose weight compared to older adults. Although both people have common goals, their differences in motivation are significant enough that they should be taken into account when developing strategies for weight loss programs. This is important, as it demonstrates that WHP programs can't operate on a one-side-fits-all strategy. To affectively motivate an entire workforce to either lose weight or simply get healthy they must utilize a multi-dimensional approach.
Stubbs, J., et al. “Problems in Identifying Predictors and Correlates of Weight Loss and Maintenance: Implications for Weight Control Therapies Based on Behaviour Change.” Obesity Reviews, vol. 12, no. 9, 27 April 2011, doi:10.1111/j.1467-789x.2011.00883.x. Accessed 16, May 2019.
The weight loss process is a complicated and dynamic journey. No one diet or workout routine is perfect, because what might be perfect for one, could be close to useless for the other. Weight loss treatments need to employ an individualized approach that is sensitive to the specific body type, personality and lifestyle of the participant. The findings in this study suggest that a successful weight loss program must be able to measure and predict patterns of intra-individual behavior variations associated with weight loss and maintenance (Stubbs, et al.).
The weight loss process is a complicated and dynamic journey. No one diet or workout routine is perfect, because what might be perfect for one, could be close to useless for the other. Weight loss treatments need to employ an individualized approach that is sensitive to the specific body type, personality and lifestyle of the participant. The findings in this study suggest that a successful weight loss program must be able to measure and predict patterns of intra-individual behavior variations associated with weight loss and maintenance (Stubbs, et al.).