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Biggest Loser Contest
Benefits & Compensation
Biggest Loser Contest
Exchange ideas about health plans, retirement, work/life benefits, and employee assistance.
Have any of you done this at your company? I'm looking for ideas on what worked and what didn't work. I'm trying to roll out a program nationwide.
Thanks!
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Forums » Topic Forums » Benefits & Compensation » Biggest Loser Contest
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Biggest Loser Contest
posted at 1/28/2009 6:59 AM EST
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Posts: 80
First: 11/17/2006 Last: 7/13/2010 |
This was the subject of an episode of "The Office" recently.
We've had groups participate in a state-wide initiative/contest - a group weigh-in, then individuals weigh themselves, privately, and continue to track their progress over time. Collective group and individual results are submitted by the captain in a secure manner. Group results are publicly posted. You can sign-up for a weight loss category, or an activity category, or both. At the end of the contest, there's an official "weigh-out," so individual fudging of results wouldn't work, and then individuals who lost the most were also recognized, I believe. I'm fuzzy on the details, but here's the web site for it: http://www.lightenupwisconsin.com/ |
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Biggest Loser Contest
posted at 1/29/2009 6:13 AM EST
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Posts: 79
First: 3/19/2008 Last: 10/15/2009 |
On first glance this strikes me as very offensive, and I personally would resent something like this, especially publicly posting results.
My biggest question, however, is-- what is the cost-benefit over time of doing this? Do you have any evidence that there would be any benefit to such a program? Most of the time when people lose weight quickly, they gain it back plus some within a short period of time. |
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Biggest Loser Contest
posted at 1/29/2009 7:42 AM EST
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Posts: 1047
First: 4/11/2002 Last: 9/14/2011 |
There's an abundance of data that shows healthy employees are more productive, so ROI isn't an issue. It's better to be a heavy smoker and drinker than it is to be obese, according to recent medical studies.
But, this challenge should just be one part of a cutting edge wellness program. As mentioned, it doesn't do a lot of good if employees gain all the weight back. |
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Biggest Loser Contest
posted at 1/29/2009 7:57 AM EST
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Posts: 3
First: 1/27/2009 Last: 2/16/2009 |
Thanks for all of your responses! This is just a small section of our current wellness program. I also do not care for the 'biggest loser' type contest as there are people that may be at a healthy weight but still unhealthly. I am going focus more on wellness (eating healthy and exercising)instead of weight. |
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Biggest Loser Contest
posted at 1/29/2009 8:57 AM EST
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Posts: 79
First: 3/19/2008 Last: 10/15/2009 |
mroberts7 says: There's an abundance of data that shows healthy employees are more productive, so ROI isn't an issue.
True, but ROI IS an issue because you want an effective, healthy weight loss approach. Most "diets" are more harmful than helpful. |
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