Friday, August 29, 2008
By Shawn McKee
Staff Writer
At least one southern state is not taking their ranking at the top of the country's heaviest states list lying down (or sitting down for that matter). Alabama, which ranked second in a national obesity survey, is making overweight state workers pay -- literally.
Alabama is giving its employees roughly a year to start getting in shape or state employees will be charged $25 a month for insurance that would otherwise be free. The plan was approved recently by the State Employees' Insurance Board.
State workers have until January 2010 to get free health screenings. If a problem like high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes or obesity is discovered, then they will have a year to join a wellness program, see a doctor at no cost or improve their health on their own to keep the free insurance. However, if at a follow-up screening they have made no progress, they will lose the free insurance starting January 2011.
Alabama already charges those of its 37,527 state employees who smoke an insurance premium -- and has seen some success in reducing those numbers -- but now focuses its efforts on one of the South's largest problems: obesity risk. Some states offer benefits for healthy living, but Alabama is the first state to punish those not trying to slim down. This measure is not completely new. The Japanese recently introduced waistline restrictions that created quite a controversy.
It's a divisive issue. Members of the insurance board see fighting obesity trends as a way to get individuals to become more aware of their health. While some employees it affects see it as "Big Brotherish."
"I think it’s helpful that the state is taking notice of the obesity problem but do have some reservations on the overall approach," says eDiets Director of Nutrition Services Pamela Ofstein. "If the obesity problem improves, yes that will be beneficial to the state and employee – but what is the mental and physical cost to the employee?"
Nearly one-third of Alabamians are obese ranking only behind the heaviest state, Mississippi, so there is much room for improvement, but is penalizing people who aren't improving their health going to work?
"It may work for some but not for many, especially those who have serious, chronic diseases and have been battling weight and health issues for a long period of time," Ofstein warns. "As a health professional, we know that it takes baby steps to change behaviors and one year may not be enough time."
The obesity charge will apply to those with a body mass index of 35 or higher that do not make progress between screenings. The amount of progress necessary to avoid the charge has not been determined, but most could circumvent the cost by losing weight.
The State Insurance Board estimates it will spend $1.6 million next year on screenings and wellness programs, but will save substantially in the long term. The obesity problem faces many states, but they all handle it differently. While some states like Ohio offer payouts for health screenings and healthy behaviors, others have even taken the fight to fast food purveyors.
The war on obesity is being waged on a state level, as well as a local level. In Southern Los Angeles, for example, the city council has voted to halt the building of new fast food franchises, while New York City requires some chain restaurants to post calories on menus. While there is no quick fix, Ofstein believes this may be the right way to address the issue.
"Provide education for state employees (employees in general) and help teach them how to live healthier," suggests Ofstein. "I think it is a good idea to promote good health and provide the resource and education for the employees, not simply charge them."
If you want some help learning how to live healthier on your own, you can start by taking a health profile to learn how you can best lose weight. Click here to chat live online or call 866-756-0510 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or, you can email us ANYTIME at nutritionnews@ediets.com.
It's obvious that something must be done to curb the exponentiallygrowing obesity epidemic, however it's unclear what is the best way to address it. Should state and local governments be stepping in to help their citizens maintain healthy weights? Are punishment or reward policies more effective? Weigh in on this heavy topic by commenting below.
If you like this story, try reading:
-- 2030: The End of the World as We Know It
-- Government Ban on Fast Food?
-- Measuring Matters: Japanese Pass Waist Restrictions
Staff Writer
At least one southern state is not taking their ranking at the top of the country's heaviest states list lying down (or sitting down for that matter). Alabama, which ranked second in a national obesity survey, is making overweight state workers pay -- literally.Alabama is giving its employees roughly a year to start getting in shape or state employees will be charged $25 a month for insurance that would otherwise be free. The plan was approved recently by the State Employees' Insurance Board.
State workers have until January 2010 to get free health screenings. If a problem like high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes or obesity is discovered, then they will have a year to join a wellness program, see a doctor at no cost or improve their health on their own to keep the free insurance. However, if at a follow-up screening they have made no progress, they will lose the free insurance starting January 2011.
Alabama already charges those of its 37,527 state employees who smoke an insurance premium -- and has seen some success in reducing those numbers -- but now focuses its efforts on one of the South's largest problems: obesity risk. Some states offer benefits for healthy living, but Alabama is the first state to punish those not trying to slim down. This measure is not completely new. The Japanese recently introduced waistline restrictions that created quite a controversy.
It's a divisive issue. Members of the insurance board see fighting obesity trends as a way to get individuals to become more aware of their health. While some employees it affects see it as "Big Brotherish."
"I think it’s helpful that the state is taking notice of the obesity problem but do have some reservations on the overall approach," says eDiets Director of Nutrition Services Pamela Ofstein. "If the obesity problem improves, yes that will be beneficial to the state and employee – but what is the mental and physical cost to the employee?"
Nearly one-third of Alabamians are obese ranking only behind the heaviest state, Mississippi, so there is much room for improvement, but is penalizing people who aren't improving their health going to work?
"It may work for some but not for many, especially those who have serious, chronic diseases and have been battling weight and health issues for a long period of time," Ofstein warns. "As a health professional, we know that it takes baby steps to change behaviors and one year may not be enough time."
The obesity charge will apply to those with a body mass index of 35 or higher that do not make progress between screenings. The amount of progress necessary to avoid the charge has not been determined, but most could circumvent the cost by losing weight.
The State Insurance Board estimates it will spend $1.6 million next year on screenings and wellness programs, but will save substantially in the long term. The obesity problem faces many states, but they all handle it differently. While some states like Ohio offer payouts for health screenings and healthy behaviors, others have even taken the fight to fast food purveyors.
The war on obesity is being waged on a state level, as well as a local level. In Southern Los Angeles, for example, the city council has voted to halt the building of new fast food franchises, while New York City requires some chain restaurants to post calories on menus. While there is no quick fix, Ofstein believes this may be the right way to address the issue.
"Provide education for state employees (employees in general) and help teach them how to live healthier," suggests Ofstein. "I think it is a good idea to promote good health and provide the resource and education for the employees, not simply charge them."
If you want some help learning how to live healthier on your own, you can start by taking a health profile to learn how you can best lose weight. Click here to chat live online or call 866-756-0510 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or, you can email us ANYTIME at nutritionnews@ediets.com.
It's obvious that something must be done to curb the exponentiallygrowing obesity epidemic, however it's unclear what is the best way to address it. Should state and local governments be stepping in to help their citizens maintain healthy weights? Are punishment or reward policies more effective? Weigh in on this heavy topic by commenting below.
If you like this story, try reading:
-- 2030: The End of the World as We Know It
-- Government Ban on Fast Food?
-- Measuring Matters: Japanese Pass Waist Restrictions
Labels: fattest states, health insurance, obesity epidemic, obesity insurance
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