Worker’s unhealthy lifestyles cost employers £3 billion a year
11:02 - 29/06/2011
Worker’s unhealthy lifestyles cost ...
Recent research has revealed that unhealthy workers cost their employers, the NHS and themselves up to £17.7billion every year.
The study, commissioned by Bupa and conducted by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, also showed that this figure could rise to as much as £33 billion by 2025 if current trends continue.
If workers adopted healthier lifestyles by improving their diet to maintain a healthy weight, reducing their alcohol consumption to recommended levels and quitting smoking, they could increase productivity and help to boost the economy. Businesses alone could save up to £3 billion a year.
Experts say that employers could save £1.8 million a year if employees drank less, while a reduction in smoking-related absences could save them £61 million. An additional £490 million could be saved in absenteeism and sick pay for obesity-related conditions if workers improved their diet and fitness. The NHS could save £8.2 billion a year by 2025.
According to the study, healthier lifestyle choices will also have a positive impact on the individual’s personal finances. Smokers who quit can expect to save, on average, around £1,555 a year while excessive drinkers who reduce their alcohol intake in line with recommended daily levels could save around £200 a year. In addition to this, people suffering from obesity could gain as much as £500 a year through increased earning potential if they lost weight.
Dr Peter Mace, Assistant Medical Director for Bupa Health and Wellbeing, said: “This study not only reveals the true cost to the nation of unhealthy lifestyle choices but it also highlights the considerable savings to the public purse which could be achieved through individual commitments to health improvement.”
First Response Training can offer a Nutrition and Healthy Eating training course which is 3 hours in duration and aims to provide delegates with knowledge about leading a healthy lifestyle, as well as guidelines about how to maintain weight and calorie control.
Lorraine Prothero, the First Response Health and Safety Training Officer and CIEH Professional Trainer who helped to develop the course, says: Recent reports suggest that at least 25% of British adults are obese, with only just over a quarter eating the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. This is having a significant impact on health and lifestyles in Britain.
The best way to a healthier, longer life is to eat a nutritionally balanced diet which is composed of the five major food groups. Eating a variety of foods from each group can help to protect you against obesity, cancer, heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes. Our Nutrition and Healthy Eating course explains about the five major food groups and their classifications and provides delegates with useful information about healthy meal planning.”
For more information, call First Response today on free phone 0800 310 2300.
The study, commissioned by Bupa and conducted by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, also showed that this figure could rise to as much as £33 billion by 2025 if current trends continue.
If workers adopted healthier lifestyles by improving their diet to maintain a healthy weight, reducing their alcohol consumption to recommended levels and quitting smoking, they could increase productivity and help to boost the economy. Businesses alone could save up to £3 billion a year.
Experts say that employers could save £1.8 million a year if employees drank less, while a reduction in smoking-related absences could save them £61 million. An additional £490 million could be saved in absenteeism and sick pay for obesity-related conditions if workers improved their diet and fitness. The NHS could save £8.2 billion a year by 2025.
According to the study, healthier lifestyle choices will also have a positive impact on the individual’s personal finances. Smokers who quit can expect to save, on average, around £1,555 a year while excessive drinkers who reduce their alcohol intake in line with recommended daily levels could save around £200 a year. In addition to this, people suffering from obesity could gain as much as £500 a year through increased earning potential if they lost weight.
Dr Peter Mace, Assistant Medical Director for Bupa Health and Wellbeing, said: “This study not only reveals the true cost to the nation of unhealthy lifestyle choices but it also highlights the considerable savings to the public purse which could be achieved through individual commitments to health improvement.”
First Response Training can offer a Nutrition and Healthy Eating training course which is 3 hours in duration and aims to provide delegates with knowledge about leading a healthy lifestyle, as well as guidelines about how to maintain weight and calorie control.
Lorraine Prothero, the First Response Health and Safety Training Officer and CIEH Professional Trainer who helped to develop the course, says: Recent reports suggest that at least 25% of British adults are obese, with only just over a quarter eating the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. This is having a significant impact on health and lifestyles in Britain.
The best way to a healthier, longer life is to eat a nutritionally balanced diet which is composed of the five major food groups. Eating a variety of foods from each group can help to protect you against obesity, cancer, heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes. Our Nutrition and Healthy Eating course explains about the five major food groups and their classifications and provides delegates with useful information about healthy meal planning.”
For more information, call First Response today on free phone 0800 310 2300.
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