This Week's Herman Trend Alert Purpose Emerging as Important Driver of Engagement

The Herman Trend Alert September 29, 2010 The High Cost of Obesity Though increasing obesity is a global problem, from George Washington University comes more evidence that the high level of obesity in the United States population is affecting the bottom line for employers. Its study details the high costs of added benefits and absenteeism---especially for women employees. Researchers looked at employee sick days, lost productivity, the need for additional gasoline, and more. Their findings reflected that the annual cost of being obese is $4,879 for a woman and $2,646 for a man. "When the value of lost life is added, the results are even more dramatic: $8,365 and $6,518 for women and men respectively, they said at the release, which included a panel of esteemed obesity experts moderated by former US Surgeon General David Satcher." The costs of being overweight are far lower, estimated at $524 for women and $432 for men. Obesity is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 30; the costs for women and men are nine and six times higher respectively than they are for an overweight person, defined as having a BMI between 25 and 29. According to other recent studies, larger women were found to earn less than leaner women, while wages are much the same for men no matter what sizes they are. According to a new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), "Obesity and the Economics of Prevention: Fit not Fat", in spite of all of the media attention to the topic, obesity rates are still increasing in the US and Canada. Moreover obesity is having a significant effect on the global economy as well. Among its recommendations, the OECD suggests effective implementation of prevention programs could help employers and of course, their people. Society is paying a very high price for obesity, and there is a lack of consciousness regarding the economic effect. In 2008, we reported "If nothing does change, healthcare costs directly related to being overweight and obese will double each decade, reaching $957 billion in 2030---accounting for one-sixth of the healthcare dollars spent in the US". Our forecast is that employers will lead the way and government will follow in urging people to get fit and embrace healthy practices. © 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." WHO SENDS OUT YOUR NEWSLETTERS? We are convinced there is no better choice than ours! We have happily used DataBack Systems to deliver The Herman Trend Alert for over 10 years and. Visit their website (http://www.databack.com) or call Byron directly at 503.941.0427. You'll be glad you did. IS YOUR EMPLOYER AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE®? Our effective, onsite seminars, workshops, and consulting can help you get there. We offer 1-, 2-, 3-hour, and full-day programs to help you communicate what it takes to become an Employer of Choice® and inspire your folks to get it done. In the future, being an Employer of Choice® will not be optional. Call Carol at 336-210-3547 to arrange a no-obligation conference call. Or order the electronic version of the Employer of Choice book on your desktop for only $17.80 @ http://hermangroup.com/store/books_all.html#2. STRUGGLING TO FIND THE PEOPLE YOU NEED? VETJOBS CAN HELP! Recently, hundreds of thousands of jobs remain unfilled due to a lack of capable people. If you are looking for qualified candidates, you need to hire a veteran using VFW-sponsored VetJobs, the largest military employment site on the Internet. Thousands of returning veterans are looking for good jobs now. Mention this ad in The Herman Trend Alert and receive a 10% discount on job postings. Call Ted Daywalt at 877-838-5627 or inquire at info@VetJobs.com. 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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