With almost 30% of the country's population now classified as obese, it is becoming a significant health and safety issue for businesses who want their employees operating at peak performance.
Obesity presents a significant cost to businesses in a range of ways. Obese staff are more likely to suffer from diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, and accidents.
Companies are recognising this and they have boosted their efforts in employee and executive health; including medical check-ups, cycling clubs and installing lockers and showers to encourage staff to exercise.
New research from the School of Psychiatry at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) highlights the need for companies to begin focusing on the mental and cognitive aspects of obesity to help staff to combat the disease.
The research found that in children, adolescents and adults, obesity can be linked to cognitive functions, particularly executive function, which controls tasks such as reasoning and planning.
The research indicates obesity may not be due to a lack of willpower and suggests that helping staff is more complicated than simple motivation and the provision of exercise equipment.
"Effective cognitive remediation therapy might help businesses help their employees control their weight," says Evelyn Smith, co-author of the research paper recently published in the journal, Obesity Reviews.
• Courtesy of Knowledge @ Australian Business School.
