Recent Article of interest

Texas is "BIG"

ARLINGTON, Texas, Oct 09, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

While Texans are proud of the sentiment implied by the expression, "Everything is bigger in Texas," such pride is misplaced when it comes to healthy Texans.

According to HealthyAmericans.org, Texas is the 12th fattest state in the U.S. with 64.1 percent of adults categorized as overweight or obese. According to the State Comptroller's office, obesity cost Texas businesses $3.3 billion in 2005.

With rising health care costs and insurance premiums, Texas businesses are bearing the brunt of this unhealthy epidemic.

In a survey of Texas companies, employers reported obesity-related medical conditions as a major factor in the average 27 percent increase in health care costs in 2006. The most prevalent medical conditions reported were coronary heart disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension and gastrointestinal disorders. Most of these are directly or indirectly related to obesity.

Additionally, virtually all companies responding to the survey listed increased health care costs, lost productivity and increased absenteeism as effects of obesity. No one really knows the cost of these effects on business's bottom-line. In response, many employers offer employees incentives to participate in health and wellness programs.