CHEERS & JEERS: Employee health is serious biz

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March 6, 2008

Anonymous The Glasgow Daily Times Thu Mar 06, 2008, 04:53 PM CST

GLASGOW — Kentucky ranks near the top of the CDC’s rankings each year of adult population obesity. We can truly say in the Commonwealth that our weight issues are epidemic.

We have ranked in the top 10 in each year of the last five years and as high as No. 3 in 2003. The number of overweight and obese adults in our state continually hovers around 25 percent.

Some might think the impact of being overweight effects only the individuals who are suffering through the consequences — such as adult-onset diabetes, heart disease, etc. — but that’s not true. Many employers have realized the impact excessive weight has on their employees and their business’ productivity and on they are taking action.

It’s certainly true locally.

That’s why we cheer a small industry owner like Bud Layne with SpanTech. He, having dealt with his own weight issues, realized it would be beneficial to offer a health and fitness program for his employees. His is not the only area industry to offer excercise programs, but it’s certainly striking considering the size of SpanTech’s operation compared to other area industries.

Many partner with the Barren County Family YMCA to offer wellness programs through its facilities. To that end, Y CEO Brian Held recently hired a new staff member whose job it will be to help facilitate those partnerships. That’s a promising sign for our community.

We do not have to follow the trend of the Commonwealth toward an evermore obese population and the health ills that follow the trend. We can reverse it with more employers — even small businesses — promoting health and wellness with programs such as the one Layne instituted or with partnerships with the Y and other wellness-centered operations.

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