Now before I start this blog, I know BMI is often challenged as an indicator and there are other ways to check for obesity as this image from Very Well tells us. We’re looking at this from a research perspective today and we are using the data provided.
Did you know that the Commons Library Research Briefing (2022) has said that 27.5% of adults in Scotland were categorised as obese (reporting a BMI over 30) and a further 34.7% were considered overweight (reporting a BMI between 25 and 30)? A higher proportion of men than women were overweight, but a higher proportion of women than men were obese. In all age groups above 45, men were more likely to be overweight or obese (in total) than women. Ouch…
Studies in England have shown that those in the obese category are around 25 per cent more likely to experience a mood disorder like depression. Similarly, there are well-documented correlations with obesity and other comorbid conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer and strokes.
For employers, obesity can have a tangible impact on their business, particularly where the employee requires long or repeated periods away from work due to the condition or associated illness. Did you know that the British Medical Journal has noted that employees whom are deemed obese have more days of absenteeism? Aside from the employer loss of time, our employees are genuinely struggling right now. It’s time for action.
At Moonstir, we are well placed to work collaboratively in managing the relationship between mood disorders and eating by way our of combined expertise and knowledge. We adopt a compassionate focused approach to guide our clients to make change. We run a one-day, interactive workshop sharing knowledge, practicing mindfulness activities, and creating a basic individual action plan which can be followed up with more specialised support where needed.
Our next workshop is on 18th June with psychotherapists, nutritionist and complementary therapy. We can also deliver this in-house.
We also provide guidance on wellbeing management and lifestyle checks via our Occupational Health Nurse and dedicated HR support. The Equality Act can be difficult to navigate but we are well placed to support SMEs in this area. Our latest Wellbeing Training happened this week with excellent feedback. We'd be happy to develop training for your organisation or discuss your overall wellbeing plan.
Please drop us an email morag@moonstir.co.uk to take action which is sure to help both your business and your staff.