The Need for Change
The numbers of people who are overweight or obese are at an all time high1 and the need for personal, effective health management has never been greater.
Evidence of an increased risk of developing diseases related to being obese, including type 2 diabetes, hyper tension, heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, osteoarthritis and reproductive problems is undisputed2.
People are feeling pressured to work longer hours3 and at the same time leading more sedentary lives4. Stress in the workplace is becoming more prevalent5 and lifestyles constraints factors are driving up the demand for convenience foods and which have seen sales rocket6.
Aside from poor health for the individual, these worrying trends manifest themselves in greater healthcare costs, insurance premiums, absenteeism and lost productivity7. And in some recent cases, work-related stress claims have resulted in litigation for the employer8.
There is good evidence to suggest that making small changes to one's lifestyle can make big improvements to one's long-term health9.
- NAO Tackling Obesity in England 2001
OECD Health Data 2005, June 05, OECD, Paris, 2005. (62% of UK population) - NAO Tackling Obesity in England 2001
- Info-Tech Research Group 2006
- BHF - Physical Activity
- TUC - November 2006 figures (international Stress Awareness Day)
- Mintel May 2006 - Eating Habits: Sacrificing Quality for Convenience?- UK
- Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award - 2004
- Stress litigation and training. Ian Campbell. Management Development Review 1995
- European Prospective Investigation and Nutrition (Epic) study 2006
