CDC Launches LEANWorks! Website

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched LEANWorks! This website is designed to help businesses address obesity. The site offers an array of resources including an obesity cost calculator to determine medical costs, tips on how to promote means to combat obesity and information on the cost of an intervention.

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“CDC LEANWorks! was developed in direct response to organizations asking CDC for help in addressing the obesity epidemic. Specifically they wanted to know what interventions were effective in helping employees maintain a healthy weight,” said William Dietz, M.D., Ph.D., director of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity. “CDC has identified science-based interventions that work to prevent and control obesity. CDC LEANWorks! provides the tools that employers need to take action.”

As you probably know, obesity is a risk fact for a number of diseases and ailments, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes. Studies show that obese people spend 77% more on necessary medications than those who are not obese.

“Obesity affects more than just health care costs. It also has a significant impact on worker productivity because the more chronic diseases employees have, the more likely they are to be absent from work, or less productive if they come to work sick,” said Janet Collins, Ph.D., director of CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

If you are interested in more information, visit the CDC LEANWorks! website at cdc.gov/leanworks.