Good employee health everyone's business, says DFM director

The time is right for Mississippi employers to promote healthy lifestyles at work. Consider the benefits of work-place health promotion activities - improved employee productivity, reduced stress levels, decreased absenteeism and turnover rates, enhanced job satisfaction and lower healthcare management costs.

Equally significant are the benefits directly related to employee health, such as obesity prevention and reduction of risks for developing chronic illness associated with obesity.

Statistics indicate that 65% of all Mississippians are obese and 800,000-plus are at risk for developing diabetes. There is a strong correlation between physical inactivity and being overweight or obese. Most adults spend the majority of their waking hours at their place of work. Therefore, it is very likely that a Mississippi employee has or could be at risk for developing diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or other conditions related to physical inactivity.

The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi (DFM) encourages Mississippi workplaces to promote active lifestyles to help alleviate some of the major health issues facing Mississippians. Employees need access to information on a wide variety of health and wellness topics while on the job. All businesses can benefit from workplace-wellness initiatives. The Foundation is available to promote good health by providing blood-glucose and cholesterol screenings or give a talk on the importance of good health, as it relates to optimal work performance.

A company with healthy employees has a positive impact on its community and customers. It is vitally important for all of us to team up to promote a healthier Mississippi and change our position as number one in obesity and prevalence of diabetes to a number one in health and well-being of our citizens.

Put your tennis-playing skills to good use in a friendly match after work. Team up with your coworkers and start walking during your lunch break or meet at a fitness club after work. Join other Mississippi companies and tee-off with your friends and favorite college football coach at one of the Diabetes Foundation's four golf tournaments around the state. The Bulldog Scramble, Rebel Classic, Eagle Classic and Legislative Shoot-Out tournaments will be held May 12, May 16, May 19 and June 2, respectively.

The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi is the state's only nonprofit health organization that provides diabetes research, information, patient services and advocacy. Every dollar raised by the Foundation stays in the state. The Diabetes Foundation is the only diabetes organization totally dedicated to caring for our children and adults with diabetes.

For more information about any of the programs and services offered by the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi, to register for one of the golf tournaments or to schedule an office blood-glucose and cholesterol screening, call 1-877-DFM-CURE. Visit the DFM's Web site, www.msdiabetes.org, for a complete listing of all of the programs, services and upcoming events.

Copyright Mississippi Business Journal Apr 21, 2008
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