Surging obesity prevalence and the popularity of GLP-1s has created widespread demand for easy ways to lose a substantial amount of weight, fast. At the same time, workplace wellness programs are in the early stages of realizing they must prioritize inclusive and sustainable approaches to health and nutrition. Rather than advocating for restrictive diets that exclude certain foods or food groups, employers should focus on promoting individualized balanced and varied dietary patterns that accommodate diverse preferences and cultural backgrounds.
While expectations for drastic weight loss may have grown with the introduction of GLP-1s, this isn’t a new concept. Easy, fast weight loss… yes, please! Enter the fad diet. Most of us have tried at least one. Whole30, Special K, Keto, grapefruit diet sound familiar? Here’s the thing… traditional diets are not practical, accessible or sustainable. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, they can do more harm than good.
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Diets: Promise and pitfalls
These diets typically impose strict rules, eliminating entire food groups or macronutrients. While this may lead to short-term success for some individuals, the impracticality and potential health risks associated with these approaches make them unsuitable.
Research suggests restrictive diets lead to cycles of weight loss and regain known as “yo-yo dieting.” Moreover, the emphasis on certain foods may increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies and metabolic complications, particularly in individuals with preexisting health conditions. The keto diet, for example, can increase the risk of heart disease, low blood pressure, kidney stones, constipation and nutrient deficiencies. As such, the potential health risks associated with quick-fix diets must be carefully considered before implementing them as part of a workplace wellness program.
Accessibility and affordability
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that nearly 55 million Americans live in low-income areas with poor access to healthy food. One of the primary concerns with diets is their lack of accessibility and affordability, particularly for individuals from marginalized communities where canned foods and fast food are often staples. Take the keto diet. Many Americans, particularly those from low-income communities, may struggle to afford the high-fat, low-carb foods required for sustained ketosis.
Moreover, the reliance on fresh produce and high-quality fats may pose logistical challenges for individuals living in food deserts or with limited access to grocery stores. As a result, the keto diet may perpetuate health disparities.
Practicality in the workplace
In addition to accessibility challenges, restrictive diets pose practical issues within the workplace. Maintaining strict dietary protocols requires meticulous meal planning and preparation, which may not be feasible for employees juggling demanding work schedules and family responsibilities. Simply – it doesn’t work for everyone.
Advocating for inclusivity and sustainability
A healthy and inclusive workplace environment needs flexible solutions that are personalized to all lifestyles, work schedules, cultures and food preferences. These programs must start with behavior change, not food restrictions. A quality behavior-change program goes beyond the scale to help people build better habits for eating, physical activity, sleep, managing stress and more. The best part? Everyone can do it.
By fostering a culture of inclusivity and equity within workplace wellness initiatives, employers can support the holistic well-being of their employees and create healthier, more productive work environments for all.
photo credit: flickr user JP
Dr. Tim Church MD, MPH, PhD, and Chief Medical Officer of Wondr Health is one of the country’s leading clinical thought leaders in exercise and obesity research. As the author of over 300 published clinical articles, Dr. Church has received many awards for his research in preventive health. At Wondr Health, Dr. Church leads the development of program curriculum, which is inspired by his medical expertise. Specializing in business-to-business strategies, Dr. Church is an advocate for the employer and has a proven track record of empowering organizations through disease prevention to decrease healthcare costs and inspire employees to be their best selves. Wondr Health works with 1,100+ employers, and 80+ partners and health plans, and has improved the health of 10 million people over the past 15 years.
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