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A holistic approach to weight management
Maintaining a healthy weight isn’t easy. In fact, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. adults are overweight and 2 in 5 are considered obese.1 And while being overweight can affect employees’ health and well-being, it can also put a substantial economic burden on employers.
At Kaiser Permanente, we can help your employees reach and maintain a healthy weight with a personalized and holistic lifestyle plan. Our care teams provide support for healthy eating and exercise, as well as medications or surgery when appropriate. They also focus on identifying personal motivations for change and social health drivers or mental health issues that may interfere with maintaining a healthy weight. Plus, our integrated care system makes it easy for our care teams to quickly refer, support, and follow up on other clinical concerns that can impact your employees’ weight and overall well-being.
The cost of obesity to your business
For employers, the annual health care cost of an employee who is overweight can be around $1,244 higher than for an employee with a healthy weight.2 Obesity also increases the risk of developing other costly chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. And it can lead to a greater risk of workplace injuries and lost productivity for employers. Given the effect these costs can have on your bottom line, it’s important to find effective weight management support and solutions for your workforce.
A 360-degree approach to achieving a healthy weight
People often assume unhealthy eating and inactivity cause obesity, but its true causes are more complex. Factors can include physical, behavioral, and social health conditions, as well as a person’s environment and genetics.
At Kaiser Permanente, we’ll help your employees reach a healthy weight and live a healthier lifestyle by taking a total health approach based on their individual health, goals, and challenges. And their personal doctor and care team will support them every step of the way.
First, their doctor will review their medical history to understand how weight has affected their health and where they are in their weight management journey. Then your employees and their doctor will work together to create a sustainable treatment plan to overcome barriers to a healthy lifestyle and address behavior changes, psychosocial challenges, and socioeconomic stressors.
A personalized treatment plan may include in-person and online care options and can focus on a variety of areas, including:
- Diet and exercise
- Mental health and wellness
- Self-care resources
- Social health support
- Classes and coaching
- Medication or medical treatment
Find the right plan for your business 877-305-7933
Integrated weight management solutions
Weight management is an ongoing process. It requires a comprehensive, evidence-based plan that integrates a wide range of resources to meet each employee’s unique needs and support their total health.
Physical health resources
Online and in-person classes, wellness coaching, and interactive tools are designed to help your employees make fitness and healthy eating habits a regular part of their day.
Mental and emotional health support
Individual and group therapy, classes, and self-care resources can help your employees get the mental and emotional support they may need.
Social health access
Good health requires more than just medical care. Your employees can access community-based resources to help them meet social health needs like food, housing, and more.
Weight loss medications and treatments
When medically appropriate, weight loss medications can be an effective option for certain employees — especially when combined with lifestyle interventions like psychological counseling, nutritional education, and exercise. If a weight loss medication is prescribed, your employee’s care team will actively monitor their progress, side effects, and health outcome, transitioning them to a more effective medication if necessary.3
Find the right plan for your business 877-305-7933
Footnotes:
1“Overweight & Obesity Statistics,” niddk.nih.gov, accessed November 4, 2024.
2“Assessing the Economic Impact of Obesity and Overweight on Employers: Identifying Paths Toward Work Force Health and Well-Being,” Global Data, February 2024.
3Weight loss drug coverage is based on your group plan.