CDC Reports Many Americans Unhealthy, Inactive — Employee Wellness Program Offers Solution

PRLog (Press Release) - Feb. 24, 2011 - Physical activity is essential for good health, but over a quarter of all Americans don't exercise at all. Employee wellness programs can offer crucial support to reverse this troubling trend. According to the Centers for Disease Control's latest report on national health (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus.htm), fewer than 2 in 10 adults currently meet national exercise goals. Spring Into Motion (http://www.springintomotiontoday.com), a Health Enhancement Systems (www.hesonline.com) employee wellness program, offers a simple, effective strategy to help employees become more fit.

Fitness guidelines (www.health.gov/PAGuidelines/guidelines/chapter4.aspx) for healthy adults ages 18-64 emphasize that staying active is crucial. For substantial health benefits, each week adults should perform:
•   2.5 hours of aerobic activity, ideally increasing to 5 hours or more to gain maximum improvements
•   Activities on 2 days that strengthen all major muscle groups.

Spring Into Motion supports these guidelines with dozens of aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities to match participants' personal interests and fitness level. The program tracks progress with colorfully fun rewards called “springers” for every 30-60 minutes of movement — which makes meeting a weekly exercise goal less daunting. Cheered on by supportive managers and coworkers, participants often report weight loss and an improved sense of well-being, setting the stage for permanent healthy lifestyle changes. The program's rejuvenating theme — designed to break winter's doldrums — engages employees and maintains motivation.

Multiple studies show that people who exercise at least 2.5 hours each week are far less likely to be obese or to develop diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and depression.

“The CDC's findings are a wake-up call to all Americans — and a golden opportunity for business leaders to promote better workplace health,” states Dean Witherspoon, CEO and founder of Health Enhancement Systems.(http://HealthEnhancementSystems.com) “Proven employee wellness programs like Spring Into Motion are the bridge to increasing personal fitness while decreasing health care and insurance costs.”

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Health Enhancement Systems creates employee wellness programs for organizations in North America and throughout the world. More than 20 effective, engaging HES wellness campaigns have been adopted by over a thousand organizations — serving hundreds of thousands of participants successfully.

For more information about Health Enhancement Systems, visit (www.HealthEnhancementSystems.com) or call 800.326.2317.