Is a healthier community more productive?

My last few blogs have all been very business centric, so this week I am going to refocus on personal attitudes.

Some time ago I wrote about the issue of obesity and the danger of being overweight, and while many readers contacted me in agreement, there was a fair amount of anger about my daring to raise the issue!

Since I wrote that original blog about obesity and my feelings about it, I notice the problem is getting larger… literally. It is definitely not going away, despite the almost daily articles on health and wellness, diets, diet food and even calls for the Government to do something.

A Federal Government taskforce on preventative health has recommended the introduction of a levy under which employers would be required to commit a “small percentage” of annual payroll to fund workplace health programs.

The idea, contained in the taskforce’s final report, is just one of 35 recommendations and 139 sub-recommendations aimed at cutting obesity, and alcohol and tobacco abuse, which the Government claims costs the economy over $31 billion.

The report argues that improving workplace health is a key part of national preventative health strategy, as work is the place where around 11 million Australians spend half their waking hours.

“Approximately five million Australian employees are overweight (of whom 1.3 million are obese). In 2001, obesity was associated with an excess 4.25 million days lost from the workplace. Obesity rates are highest among mature age workers aged 45 to 64, who comprise almost a third of the labour force. As obese people age, sick leave increases at twice the rate of those who are not obese,” the report states.

But really, this problem does not belong in the hands of the Government – it belongs in the hands of obese adults and parents.

I emphasise parents because it seems to me (and this is purely a personal view) that obesity has some connection with self-esteem – and parents have a lot do to with encouraging their children and building up their self-esteem and resilience.

Recently I learned of a situation from an employer who hired an obese, but highly qualified, person. Unfortunately the employee did not last beyond the original trial period simply because that person was not able to handle the longer hours required to cover end of financial year tasks. In just three months the employee had taken 10 days sickness leave. Was there a direct connection between the employees weight and the fatigue? I will have to leave you to you to think about, but if being overweight is connected to heart disease, diabetes and even most recently it is claimed cancer, then it is reasonable to think that fatigue could be another side effect.

I am writing about this because unlike many illnesses, obesity seems to be preventable. I underline seems preventable because some obesity is no doubt caused by other illnesses. Putting these people aside, there appears to be those who are simply eating and sitting their way to ill health and possible unemployment benefits. I have no idea of the cost of this epidemic to the community as a whole, let alone to the people, who with some encouragement and a change of attitude could be living healthier and presumably happier lives.

The impact of this epidemic on business must also be considerable, but it seems that the topic is political hot water. Do we need to face this problem more honestly or should we just allow it to continue and as a community simply become larger and unhealthier?

How can we, as employers, leaders in the community, and/or as parents, play a positive role in encouraging a healthier, more productive society?

Obesity affects us all – as parents, employers and employees.

It seems to me that this problem is fast escalating and we need to face the issue with honesty and concern.

To read more Marcia Griffin expert advice, click here.

Marcia’s latest book, High Heeled Success (pictured left), is a frank account of building a business from a solitary sales person to a multi-million dollar business with 4700 sales consultants around Australia and New Zealand. Contact Marcia to purchase. Marcia’s latest venture is skin care company griffin+row.