A gripping article was written recently by Kathleen Koster on the EBN News Benefits website concerning the unhealthy lifestyles of the American youth and the consequential impact on the benefits budgets of Corporate America.

According to the article, when childhood obesity occurs, it leads to many eventualities. On a financial level, it leads to increased health care utilization and higher costs for employers. In addition, studies have found that the productivity of working parents often decreases when their child is in poor health as the parent often has to leave early or be absent in order to take care of their child.

Revealing studies over the years indicate that obesity in America in a serious problem that is drastically increasing in severity. The studies show that over the past 30 years, childhood obesity in America has tripled. Furthermore, in the nation, almost one-third of children are classified as either overweight or obese; the highest percentage of obesity in America’s history.

Helen Darling, the President of the National Business Group on Health, states that “there is a great deal at stake for U.S. employers.” Helen goes on to affirm that there is a 70% chance of an obese teenager becoming an obese adult. She predicts that the price tag that this “childhood epidemic” could become unaffordable if measures are not taken because health care for obesity-related illnesses cost employers a minimum of $45 billion every year.

In an effort to instigate change and improvement, the Business Group has teamed up with the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau to develop a toolkit in order to assist U.S. employers tackle the mounting concern of overweight and obese children. The aid, ‘Childhood Obesity: It’s Everyone’s Business,’ suggests that employers develop and cultivate the communication lines and resources that several larger companies already have in place.

The toolkit is composed of seven main sections. These include an overview of childhood obesity and the foremost ways it affects businesses and companies. Four of the sections explain ways in which employers can expand or influence initiatives already in place in order to encourage healthy child weight.

The four sections include the following:

- Benefit Design: Aligning Stakeholders to Change Behaviour
- Employee Education: Equipping Employees for the Battle
- Employer-Sponsored Programs and Onsite Facilities: Using What You Have
- Community and Philanthropy: Reconsidering Company Contributions


Kathleen Koster goes on to state that there have already been some employers that have taken to fight childhood diabetes. She mentions that a company called Texas Instruments provides kids with fitness facilities and provides camps for them that accentuate wellness during vacation breaks and during the summer months. Koster also mentions in her article that some employers also provide medical check-ups for the children with the help of on-site company clinics; and that other companies have “day initiatives throughout the year, such as nutrition and physical fitness education during ‘Bring your Child to Work’ day, or partnering with local community groups.”

Koster closes by reiterating that an increasing percentage of childhood obesity is, no doubt, going to impact employers. Although families, schools, communities and child-care facilities are beginning to react, employers and health care providers are also a part of the equation and eventual solution, with the urgency for more specific and streamlined efforts being ever present.