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The Nutrition and Physical Activity/Obesity Prevention Program
	Worksites Crucial to Health Promotion Worksites play a critical part in the effort to increase opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity among Maryland residents.
Consider the following reasons why health promotion through work helps people adapt a healthy lifestyle: • The majority of one's waking hours are spent at work – the average employee in    Maryland works 9.2 hours per week • Worksite health promotion programs are convenient • The nature and environment of the workplace greatly influences    lifestyle behaviors such as sleep patterns, physical activity, eating, socializing,    office snacking and working overtime • The workplace provides a consistent structure allowing for    exercise and healthy eating to be part of a daily routine • A lunch break is a great time for exercising • Co-workers can offer great support and motivation • Many health providers offer corporate discounts on exercise and    nutrition services
Worksite Health Benefits Employees & Employers Unfortunately, the American workforce is growing increasingly unhealthy. Over 50% of all employees have poor nutrition, are not exercising, have high stress levels and high cholesterol. Overall, at lest 40% of a workforce lives with at least the chronic health condition. The encouraging news is that an estimated 70% of health risks and chronic health conditions can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle, specifically through increased physical activity and improved nutrition. In addition to improved employee health, companies with worksite health programs can expect: • 18% reduction in absenteeism rates • 50% increase in productivity during the last 2 hours of every day • 10-30% savings in health care costs
Making a Difference in Maryland Employee Health The Worksite Committee of the Maryland Nutrition and Physical Activity Plan works to promote health and physical activity through Maryland employers. Over the next 10 years, the committee plans to: • Increase the number of worksites with policies that support    healthy eating and opportunities for physical activity • Increase employer awareness of the benefits that healthy eating    and physical activity has on a workforce • Increase the levels of healthy eating and physical activity among    the employers and employees of Maryland Source: Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Office of Labor Market Analysis and Information. (June 2005). Employment and payrolls 2004 annual averages. Available from www.dllr.state.md.us/lmi/index.htm.
Contact Information: Co-Chair Stephen H. Martin 8403 Colesville Road, Ste 280 Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-588-5900, ext 130. smartin@macf.com Co-Chair Jessica Sheffield, MPH, CHES Corporate Wellness Director Brick Bodies 201 Old Padonia Rd Cockeysville, MD 21030 410-252-8058 x103 www.brickbodies.com "Change Your LIfe at Brick Bodies"

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