Employers and Community Organizations are invited to Participate in A Community Wellness Program
The “Eat Well Live Well” Challenge is focused on increasingregular physical activity and nutrition choices that enable individuals toimprove their health while lowering their risk for chronic illnesses. TheChallenge is an affordable wellnessprogram that offers employers andcommunity organizations a valuable opportunity to be proactive in improving health and health care cost management.
Please consider these facts:More than 65 percent of our adult population is overweight, resulting in aone-third increase in the number of diabetes cases. Adult onset diabetesincreases health care costs by 25 percent. Obesity and physical inactivityaccount for 25 to 30 percent of several major cancers. Overweight and inactiveindividuals are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease, including high bloodpressure and stroke.
The World Health Organizationand U.S. Centers for Disease Control concur that 70 percent of chronicillnesses can be prevented with simple lifestyle changes such as eatinghealthier and becoming more physically active. That’s where “Eat Well Live Well”comes in! The “Eat Well Live Well” Challenge is a proven, healthpromotion program that requires a minimal amount of time and investment for a powerfulreturn. The “Eat Well Live Well” participants need only walking shoes,pedometers and the desire to be healthy! The website, www.eatwelllivewell.org, (free foremployers, employees and community organizations) offers user friendlysupport and resources to help participants achieve their wellness goals.
With over 200,000participations to date, the “Eat Well LiveWell” Challenge has received national recognition, (Business Week magazine,11/09) and a Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Prevention Efforts fromthe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Challenge has beensuccessfully implemented for the past 3 years in the Buffalo/Niagara region,with multiple employers including Rich Products, New Era Cap, the American RedCross, Walsh Insurance Group, M&T Bank and the Buffalo Public School System. A major local employer had this successstory to share:
"The “Eat Well Live Well” Challenge providedus with an excellent opportunity to promote our commitment to a culture ofwellness for our employees (at UB). Employees thought it was challenging yetfun and they felt a lot of camaraderie as a result of the"competition" between teams. We are seeing a lot more walkers oncampus and more produce as snacks as a result. We can't wait to do itagain!" – Kathie Frier, University at Buffalo.
For more information, or to register (required) forthe Information Session or Training Session, please contact the WellnessInstitute at (716) 851-4052 or email beactive@city-buffalo.org.
INFORMATION SESSION Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, 9:00 A.M. OR 10:30A.M.,
Wegmans, 651 Dick Rd., Depew, NY
TRAINING SESSION Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, 12:00 P.M. to 3:30P.M.,
Wegmans 5275 Sheridan Dr., Williamsville, NY
* Returning employers may start between Jan. 15, 2012and May 6, 2012
* New employers may start between Mar. 4, 2012 and May6, 2012, following training
At the Information Sessions,interested employers and community organizations will be invited to attend thefree local train-the-trainer session for employer or organizationrepresentatives. The free trainingwill focus on “how to” successfully implement the “Eat Well Live Well”Challenge. An “Eat Well Live Well”Challenge program/community resources toolkit (cost: $25) will also be providedto those who attend the local ½ day training. A healthful lunch will beprovided.
Please share this invitationwith others you believe might be interested. We look forward to your successfulparticipation in the Spring 2012 WNY “EatWell Live Well” Challenge!
For information contact: Philip Haberstro, BeActive NYS, www.BeActiveNys.org,a statewide health promotion initiative of the non-profit Wellness Institute ofGreater Buffalo. Watch for information on the May 2012 WesternNew York Healthiest Employers Awards. See www.CreatingHealthyCommunities.org for more information.