Social Support Is the Key to Promoting Healthy Eating Behaviors in Employee Wellness Programs

Jan. 19, 2011 - PRLog -- Healthy behaviors are contagious, according to a study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity [news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=175544]. Researchers found that both physical activity and healthy eating were strongly influenced by social norms — for better or worse.

Health Enhancement Systems (http://HealthEnhancementSystems.com) offers a basketball-themed worksite wellness program, 5 on 5 (http://www.5on5.com), designed to leverage the power of teamwork and social support to promote good nutrition. This can improve employee health and align with corporate healthcare cost containment initiatives.

Because employees often eat meals or snacks together in and around the workplace, employers have a golden opportunity to educate and inspire long-lasting healthier eating patterns. Positive peer pressure pays off when coworkers encourage each other to choose more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, for example — or eat breakfast every day. With integrated social support, healthy eating can become a new workplace norm.

The power of social support can’t be overstated. Over 30 studies show how a corporate culture can use social support to drive employee engagement. Health Enhancement Systems has gathered the best studies in a convenient white paper, Social Support: Impact on Health and the Bottom Line (http://whitepapers.HealthEnhancementSystems.com/sswp).

“The people we work with have a huge influence on eating habits. 5 on 5 is designed to provide worksite-based social support for healthy eating — delivered with a team competition that makes it energizing and fun,” says Dean Witherspoon, CEO and founder of Health Enhancement Systems.

NCAA basketball is heating up, and fans are feverishly tracking the scores while cheering on their favorite teams. 5 on 5 taps into the excitement and fun of the approaching tournament, while promoting healthy eating, boosting camaraderie, and fostering a corporate culture of health. Wellness managers have long struggled to engage men in healthy eating programs, but 5 on 5 makes it easy — the campaign appeals to everyone.

Employees will make fast breaks and free throws while adopting lifelong healthy eating habits with 5 on 5. Teams of 5 compete each day in an online basketball tournament, scoring points by practicing simple daily habits — for example, by eating a healthy breakfast, three or more vegetable servings, and three or more whole grain servings each day. Participants log daily points online as a shot clock counts down the day’s game time. The easy-to-use program rewards participants with flashy online “baskets” and “free throws” as they log points. Coach Kris, a registered dietitian, answers nutrition questions and offers expert advice on healthy eating topics.

Team spirit soars as employees work together to slam-dunk the daily games while keeping their eyes on the tournament title. Team members keep each other in the game by watching team scores while offering encouragement and friendly reminders.

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Health Enhancement Systems creates employee wellness programs for organizations in North America and throughout the world. More than 20 of their effective, engaging wellness campaigns have been successfully implemented by over a thousand organizations.

For more information about Health Enhancement Systems, visit http://www.HealthEnhancementSystems.com or call 800.326.2317.