STOP Obesity Alliance Announces New Research Indicating That Employers Want to Address Obesity in the Workplace, Need Mor...( National Survey Findings Released As...),Health

National Survey Findings Released As Service Employees International Union

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WASHINGTON, May 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Employers and employees agree: The workplace is an appropriate setting for responding to weight management issues, according to new research by the Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance and the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago.

Lead NORC researchers said the survey findings demonstrate willingness to and a desire for help. Across the board, all employees -- including people who are average weight, overweight, and people who are obese -- exhibited a strong desire for weight management help from their employers. They also indicated a willingness to pay more for various workplace weight-loss options, including exercise programs, nutritional counseling and other means. Employers also acknowledged their role in providing obesity prevention and management options for their employees.

"Effective obesity prevention interventions can help save millions of American lives and reduce health care costs in our nation. The workplace is where adults spend the bulk of their time and employers can play an important role in promoting healthy lifestyles and providing options to overcome overweight and obesity," said Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, 17th Surgeon General of the United States (2002-2006), Vice Chairman of Canyon Ranch, President of the non-profit Canyon Ranch Institute, Distinguished Professor at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona, and Health and Wellness Chairperson for the Alliance Steering Committee. "With its diverse collaboration of organizations, the STOP Obesity Alliance is uniquely positioned to help employers identify new, effective solutions that address the nation's obesity epidemic."

Relating to this need, two STOP Obesity Alliance Stee
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