At THINK 2024, hosted by Cowan Benefits Ltd., Lianne Clarke, Principal and Vice President of Wellness and Disability Innovation and Growth, delivered an eye-opening presentation on healthy weight management in the workplace. With nearly three decades of experience in employee wellness and disability management, Lianne offered practical insights into how organizations can integrate health-focused strategies into their cultures and make meaningful impacts on employee wellness.
Lianne opened by reflecting on the varying levels of commitment employers show toward wellness. While some organizations “check the box” with wellness fairs or webinars, others embed wellness into their very DNA. These companies involve senior leadership, allocate resources, and view all organizational changes through the lens of employee health.
The pandemic, as she noted, sparked a heightened awareness of mental health, which many organizations embraced by developing dedicated strategies. However, Lianne encouraged organizations to expand this focus to include another pressing health challenge—obesity.
Lianne emphasized that obesity is a chronic and complex condition, not merely a result of lifestyle choices. Obesity has far-reaching implications for employee health and workplace costs, making it a critical issue for employers to address.
Obesity stems from a combination of factors:
Crucially, Lianne debunked the misconception that obesity is simply a matter of overeating. Instead, it is often a cause of overeating, driven by hormonal and genetic factors.
Obesity is a major contributor to chronic conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and mental health issues. These conditions are key drivers of absenteeism, presenteeism, and rising healthcare costs. For employers, the financial toll is significant. Obesity-related productivity losses in Canada amount to approximately $11.8 billion annually.
Lianne encouraged employers to follow a multi-faceted approach to address obesity, likening the effort to public health campaigns against smoking. Just as a collaborative approach involving public policy, advertising, and employer support helped reduce smoking rates, a similar effort could "bend the curve" on obesity.
Employers can foster a healthier workplace, improve employee well-being, and address obesity with a comprehensive and compassionate approach:
The global prevalence of obesity continues to rise. By 2035, the World Obesity Federation estimates over half of the world’s population will be overweight or obese. In Canada, rates have jumped from 5.6% in 1985 to 30% in 2022. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for action.
The good news? The tide is shifting. Just as the medical system has embraced obesity as a chronic condition, new treatments like Wegovy and emerging medications offer hope. Studies show that Wegovy can reduce cardiovascular risks by 20% and may even have potential benefits for conditions like Alzheimer’s.
Organizations have a unique opportunity—and responsibility—to support their employees’ health journeys. Lianne concluded with actionable takeaways:
At THINK 2024, the message was clear: tackling obesity is the next frontier in workplace wellness, and the time to act is now. Quoting Michelle Obama, Lianne reminded attendees: “Obesity is not a choice; it’s a result of a lack of options.” Employers hold the power to provide those options, transforming workplaces into healthier environments that empower employees and reduce costs. As Lianne aptly put it: “If you don’t invest in wellness, you’ll spend on illness.” Organizations that take a proactive, compassionate approach to health will not only improve lives but also strengthen their bottom line.