How to Design a Health Promotion Program
Several companies and organizations have created health promotion programs to aid their employees in becoming healthier. Among these concepts are numerous "Biggest Loser" style competitions where a small cash prices is offered. With these competitions there is not a Jillian Michaels or drill sergeant style discipline but they have proven quite beneficial.
- Create new policies regarding snack machines and drink boxes. Change out these machines for healthy alternatives. Instead of sugary snacks that are loaded with calories order snacks such as baked potato chips, wheat crackers and cereal bars. Instead of sugary sodas consider ordering juices, milk and sports drinks.
- Create an alternative policy for smokers. As you may know studies show that tar, carbon monoxide and chemicals used to preserve the tobacco are the contributing factors for causing lung and other cancers related to smoking. What you may not know is that electronic smoking devices only emit water vapor while supplying the smoking with the nicotine in which they are addicted. The water vapor is non-toxic and safe for both the smoking and non-smoking around them. Create a policy that allows smokers to use these safer electronic alternatives inside the break rooms and cafeteria.
- Evaluate local gyms. Determine which gym has the most affordable membership price. Determine if this gym offers a group rate for companies for monitoring purposes. Inform your employees by about this group rate and the opportunity to use this membership.
- Offer an incentive for weight loss. Try "The Biggest Loser" concept as an incentive. Create a money pool generated by participants. Tell participants to place $1 in the pool each week once the duration of the competition is determined. One group member monitors the weight loss of his or her group by having a weigh-in each week. At the end of each competition the group member who loses the most weight wins the money pool.
- Arrange a company meeting with a nutritionist to discuss healthy menu options with your employees based on their known medical conditions.