PRACTICE WHAT WE PREACH Sioned Quirke Professional Manager Adult Weight Management Service, ABUHB & Lead Specialist Dietitian in obesity management
WELSH HEALTH SURVEY WAG 2012 59% of adults were classified as overweight or obese, including 23% obese 29% of adults reported being physically active on 5 or more days in the past week 33% of adults reported eating five or more portions of fruit and vegetables the previous day 42% of adults reported drinking above the guidelines on at least one day in the past week, including 26% who reported drinking more than twice the daily guidelines
OBESITY & THE WORKPLACE We have one of the fattest nations in Europe - mirroring the US But, better addressed in the US as employers are likely to bear the cost of medical insurance Significant workplace costs associated with obesity - organisation employing 1000 people, this could equate to more than 126,000 a year in lost productivity due to a range of issues including back problems & sleep apnoea (Public Health England) Article published by Personnel Today highlighted discrimination in the workplace associated with being overweight Companies would turn away from employing an obese candidate, would pass them over for promotion and they are more likely to be made redundant. The Equality Act does not protect those who are overweight Obese person is twice as likely to be off work sick than a healthy employee.
Many adults spend much of their day in their place of work - important arena for health promotion & targeting weight management Healthier staff are more productive & cost saving Staff are our greatest asset We have a responsibility to our staff roles sedentary Abundance of evidence & stats but lack of action
NICE WORKPLACE RECOMMENDATIONS An organisations policies and incentive schemes can help to create a culture that supports healthy eating and physical exercise Action will have an impact, not only on the health of the workforce but also in savings to industry This is why all workplaces, particularly large organisations, should address the prevention and management of obesity
COLLABORATING FOR HEALTH C3 Review of workplace health initiatives (Dec 2011) Key learning Ensure management commitment & consistent resource support Run integrated programmes that represent the diversity of the employee needs Run programmes where participation is encouraged in a variety of ways Evaluate
GENERALLY, ARE WE DOING ENOUGH? My personal opinion No Compare to the stop smoking campaign need to be more hard hitting
MISSION VERY POSSIBLE! Weight problems are REVERSABLE! We spend up to 60% of our waking hours at work so it's a great place to start changing our habits
BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION SURVEY Survey results more than one in three UK workers (35%) say bosses don't care about their happiness and wellbeing in the workplace Two-thirds (67%) claim their organisation doesn't offer any opportunities to get fit and healthy Make staff feel valued they are a priority
MAKE EVERY CONTACT COUNT Take every opportunity to start a conversation about weight screening, well woman/man clinic Missed opportunity need to be aware of the role they play. We have the expertise! We can influence the situation OH are neutral good position Some staff difficult to reach e.g. catering, estates, nurses Apprehensive to bring up the issue Sensitive topic & could lead to adverse reaction 2007 study of two-inner London primary care organisations revealed that only 38 per cent of GPs were likely to raise the issue of a patient s weight Complex issue what else could come up Information alone is often not sufficient to encourage behaviour change approach is vital Cant we just signpost to G.P no!
INFLUENCING MOTIVATION Men are from Mars and women are from Venus If they have approached you they are already keen to make changes Your approach is important - empowering Ascertain what is important to them Goal setting Identify and address barriers to change No one is perfect will have challenges just need to prepare on how to deal with them
WHAT CAN BE DONE? Policies interventions & initiatives tend to focus on health promotion but also need to focus on treatment staff who are already overweight Education - small changes to diet & physical activity can have large impact on overall health even if weight loss is not achieved Education so many mixed messages around diet like general population there is confusion Health Promotion prevention better than cure Road shows Stands Newsletter Employee health fairs Competitions Coincide with national weeks
Health screening Gym / fitness club membership discount On site health classes & exercise opportunities Support behaviour change Engage with staff - scope what staff would like Joint working with in house health professionals such as dietetics referral into service communication Collaborate with NERS? Work in partnership with external partners e.g. Commercial slimming clubs Community services Government initiatives
Health coaching using IT facilities online support live chats Text support helpline apps Weight loss champions Weight in sessions Support peer support groups (?lunchtime) & promote ownership Collate stats Learn from private companies such as TATA steal, BUPA
KEY MESSAGES TO PROVIDE Healthy living NOT diet mentality of lifestyle rather than diet improve compliance No quick fix! 0.5-1kg weight loss a week Reduce sedentary behaviour regular PA (30-60 min 5 times a week) 5-a-day fruit & veg Portion control especially carbohydrates
HEALTHY PORTION PLATE
Healthy eating nothing is banned / everything in moderation Healthy meal choices / cooking from scratch Less take away / convenience meals Hydration alcohol, pop, energy drinks, fruit juice, 2L a day 3 meals a day & healthy snacks Signpost change4life, NHS choices, my fitness pal, BHF Whole family approach
MYTH BUSTERS Need to calorie count Cant have the foods they enjoy Restrictive thinking around food choice Need to read every label or buy special foods Skipping meals will help Need a low fat diet Only need to change until desired weight is lost Weight loss expectation (rate & total loss)
BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION HEALTH AT WORK http://www.bhf.org.uk/healthatwork/ It's free, sign up and you get: a guide to health at work monthly e-newsletter free resources handy tools and posters advice, ideas and tips
SUMMARY Promoting health & wellbeing in the workplace should be a top priority Ongoing support not a one off campaign Current situation is unsustainable Need action!
USEFUL INFO WAG, Health at Work, The Corporate Health Standard. 2010. http://www.healthyworkingwales.com/uploads/docs/the_corpo rate_health_standard.pdf Public Health England, Tacking obesity in the workplace. http://www.noo.org.uk/la/tackling/workplaces NICE, Obesity Quick reference guide 1, For local authorities, schools and early years providers, workplaces and the public. 2006 http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/cg43quickrefguide1.pd f Collaborating for Health C3, Review Workplace health initiatives: evidence of effectiveness, 2011 http://www.c3health.org/wpcontent/uploads/2009/09/workplace-health-initiativesreview-of-the-evidence-v-1-20111205.pdf
ONLINE WEIGHT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT www.fitbug.com www.dietplan.co.uk (Sainsbury s diet) www.tescosdiet.com www.myfitnesspal.com www.caloriecounting.co.uk www.nutracheck.co.uk www.nhs.uk/livewell/loseweight - 12 week programme www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/prevention/healthyeating www.bda.uk.com www.nhs.uk/change4life www.carbsandcals.com
MY WEBSITE WWW.QUIRKYNUTRITION.CO.UK
ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU