"Focus on Health Care" piece about obesity in Maine and the simple, affordable w

Sean Donahue

Source

Mainebiz

Date

9-15-2003

Pages

1, 24-26

Abstract

"Focus on Health Care" piece about obesity in Maine and the simple, affordable workplace strategies devised by Andy Spaulding, the worksite health coordinator with Augusta-based Maine Cardiovascular Health Program, to help employers combat the problem. Maine's obesity rates jumped 64 percent in the 1990s, from 12 percent to 20 percent, and about 60 percent of all Mainers are overweight. These statistics are particularly alarming because the biggest causes of weight problems--poor nutrition and lack of exercise, are two of the three most significant risk factors (smoking being the third) leading to the state's most deadly chronic illness: cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, and diabetes. At Hancock Lumber's Pittston sawmill, the company has successful sought to improve its employees health by encouraging them to stay away from the vending machines filled with soft drinks, candy, and baked goods, by setting out affordable bottled water and a basket of fresh fruit from which they can choose.

Subjects

Maine Cardiovascular Health Program, Obesity, Spaulding, Andy

Full text is not available here. Please contact the Library for a copy of the article.

Share

COinS