(Port Jefferson, NY) In response to the obesity epidemic and research showing that sugary drinks are the single biggest contributor to the problem, John T. Mather Memorial Hospital announced today that it has developed a free wellness program for local worksites called “Rethink Your Drink @ Work.” The goal of the program for Suffolk County workplaces is to promote the consumption of healthy beverages such as water, seltzer, low-fat and non-fat milk, and unsweetened teas and coffees instead of soda and other sugary drinks.
In 2013, the Long Island Health Collaborative (LIHC), a working group of hospital members, local health department personnel, representatives from social service organizations, public health specialists from colleges and others who form the core of health and human services for all Long Islanders, conducted a Community Health Needs Assessment that identified obesity as a prevailing health issue that needs to be addressed.
“A recent European study (1) showed that just one sugary drink per day can increase the risk of diabetes by 20 percent,” said Gemma Saylor, registered dietitian and program director of Rethink Your Drink @ Work. “In 2010, beverage companies spent $948 million in advertising for sugary drinks (2). These big dollars are being spent to encourage and promote very unhealthy behaviors. The goal of our program is educate worksite employees on the benefits of healthier beverage choices, and to help worksites throughout the county make the healthy choice the easy choice.”
Rethink Your Drink @ Work is led by a registered dietitian who educates employees on the consequences of drinking too many sugary beverages. The program also provides worksite administrators with toolkits and resources, including water pitchers and filters, which can help facilitate changes in the workplace and promote healthier lifestyles choices amongst their employees. The Rethink Your Drink program is funded by the New York State Department of Health – Healthy Heart Program.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obese employees experience higher levels of absenteeism due to illness as compared to normal weight employees. Obesity-related health expenses also drive up employee insurance costs and premiums. A 2012 report by the NYS Comptroller’s Office noted that total obesity-related healthcare costs in New York State are more than $11.8 billion annually. “Creating a healthier environment in the workplace is not just good for employee health, it makes financial sense,” Saylor said.
If you are interested in creating a healthier environment at your worksite, contact Gemma Saylor, program director of Rethink Your Drink @ Work, at 631-476-2723 or gsaylor@matherhospital.org.Visit Rethink Your Drink at www.rethinkyourdrinksuffolk.org
- Consumption of sweet beverages and type 2 diabetes incidence in European adults: results from EPIC-InterAct. Diabetologia. 2013 Jul;56(7):1520-30. doi: 10.1007/s00125-013-2899-8. Epub 2013 Apr 26.
- Harris JL, Schwartz MB, Brownell KD, et al. Sugary Drink FACTS: Evaluating sugary drink nutrition and marketing to youth. New Haven: Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. 2011.
