This Week's Herman Trend Alert The Consequences of Virtual Meetings

The Herman Trend Alert December 3, 2008 Addressing Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity (including being overweight) has arrived at epidemic levels. Globally, an estimated 22 million children under the age of five are overweight; ten percent of those aged 5 to 17 are overweight or obese. During the last two decades, annual obesity prevalence rates in the 5 to 17 age group have increased by 0.5 percent per year in Brazil, and by almost one percent per year in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the rate among children has almost tripled since 1980. This uptick in the US is attributable to exponential rise in the use of high fructose corn syrup in many foods. This benign-sounding, yet insidious, substance turns off the body's "appestat", which prevents the brain from alerting the eater the stomach is full. Most initiatives responding to childhood obesity focus on nutrition, physical activity, and body composition. However, an article published recently in the peer-reviewed journal "Preventing Chronic Disease" proposes the use of a Canadian prototype, the Child Health Ecological Surveillance System (CHESS). CHESS involves regional health authorities and considers the role environmental influences play. Meanwhile, numerous US programs focus on increasing physical activity and improving food choices. One popular program in the US is "NFL Play 60", The National Football League's "Movement for an Active Generation". Their current Super Bowl contest, called "Earn Your Stripes™", encourages young people to play 60 minutes a day. The grand prize is a trip to Super Bowl XLIII and the honor of presenting the official game ball to start the game. The local YMCAs promote the “Activate America” program that provides rewards to children for their participation in fitness-related activities. Annually each spring, more than 1,400 YMCAs host a Healthy Kids® Day. Through fun, engaging, and creative activities, this interactive special event encourages children and families to adopt behaviors that support a healthy lifestyle. As nations begin to feel the cost of treating obese adults, we expect to see an increase in these kinds of programs, focusing on all of the factors contributing to childhood obesity, not just a few. The return on investment will be substantial. © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: RETENTION SPECIALIST PROGRAM A growing number of people have expressed an interest in attending our Employee Retention Specialist Certificate Program. We'd like to schedule on that's convenient for those who want to attend, but need your feedback to do so. Please place RETENTION SPECIALIST in the subject line and Joyce will personally call you back to schedule the workshop. Or you can call Joyce directly at 336-210-3548 (PDT this and next week). BUSINESS IS PICKING UP Most employers are unprepared. The recovery will bring a new set of challenges for employers that have been in prolonged contracted mode. They will need more skilled workers or will need now to begin to upskill their current staffs. But organizations can not engage in Strategic Workforce Planning, when they don't know how. That's where The Herman Group can help. We can help you with your "People Review"----large or small---so that you will know who you will need and when you will need them. . . and we can also guide you to the best sources for the people you will need. For more information, call Joyce at 336-210-3548 or e-mail joyce@hermangroup.com. FIND OUT WHAT YOUR EMPLOYEES REALLY THINK AND FEEL Discover what’s really going on in the hearts and minds of your employees. Our InnerViews interviewing service uses SPHRs and PHRs, certified human resource professionals to probe for the information you really need to know. Exit and Stay Interviews, as well as Why-Didn't-You-Take-Our-Offer Interviews. Call Rosalie Catalano at 937-416-7066, or read more at: http://www.hermangroup.com/retentionconnection/exit_interviews.html. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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