PRESS RELEASE: Obesity is Big Business

CONTACT: MADELINE WALD
Public Relations for Dr. Gage
Cell: 914-906-7685
Email: drdennisgagemd@aol.com

Employers are faced with the staggering costs of providing health care coverage to their employees. Missed work days, decreased productivity, and disabilities all add to the increased cost to the employer. Companies must take a proactive stance to provide their employees with health perks and job retention to reduce health care costs and improve quality of work of employees.

Big Business

Obesity is big business. Not only are the number of diets increasing multifold, but the number of formulas, modular foods, and health bars have multiplied exponentially. This has created an 80 billion dollar business (that's big bucks) but this is only one part of the story. Obesity unfortunately creates a whole host of medical diseases and the cost of treating the epidemic of obesity is staggering. Obesity Research, 1998, revealed that obesity is associated with 39 million lost work days; 239 million restricted-activity days; 90 million bed days; and 63 million physician visits. According to Braun Consulting Group, obesity in the workplace is part of a growing national trend, one that is growing at an alarming rate. The Surgeon General reports more than 9 percent of the nation's health care expenditures are directly related to obesity, which costs about $117 billion annually. Unfortunately the untold story of missed work days, loss of jobs, decreased productivity, and disabilities are still another cost to the employer.

The "Diet business" puts clients through revolving doors. People go from one diet to another only to regain. Dr. Dennis Gage, an obesity expert says the problem is that no one keeps the weight off permanently. They "yo-yo" back up time and time again. His answer includes addressing the "Back door" of obesity. When people lose weight they need a support system to maintain the weight off. Instead of "yo-yo'ing" Dr. Gage, author of The Thinderella Syndrome introduces people to his "defensive eating techniques" and "Red Alert Warning System". Dr. Gage has figured out a way to "close the back door" and get people back on track before they regain the weight.

The business effect is to stop the "merry go round" and save billions in health dollars. The success of a business is dependent upon its' employee's productivity and high retention rate. If employees stay with a business, they feel committed to the business. Job satisfaction and job stability are key factors in a companies' growth. Dr. Gage suggests a retirement plan that will retain employees and contribute to a healthy employee:

Vested Pension plans have always been layered year by year. Employees are hooked to their company through this mechanism. Traditional stock options are of course another hook. Employees who leave their company early are penalized. Dr. Gage suggests that employers offer their employees a Health Cafeteria Plan where employees are offered more perks as they commit more time to their company. Employers can empower employees with Wellness Perks which are offered on a vested basis. Examples: Year 1: 50% of a fitness membership offered to employees, Year 2: 100% membership, Year 3: One on one trainer 50% paid, Year 4: 100% one on one trainer, Year 5: free week at a health spa.

Companies who take a pro-active stance will reap rewards such as lower claims on health care costs, savings in their health care costs, improved quality of life, and improved quality of work of employees.

Dr. Dennis Gage is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, and Metabolism. He is a Clinical Attending at Lenox Hill Hospital and Beth Israel Medical Center. He has a private practice in NYC. Dr. Gage has published numerous obesity research papers in medical journals. Dr. Gage is available for TV, Radio, and Interviews. Order his book The Thinderella Syndrome through Amazon by visiting www.thethinderellasyndrome.com or www.theweightlossdoc.com.

 

 

 

 

 

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