Wellness challenge whips up state employees

Fighting fit

Reports have surfaced of a yearlong wellness challenge underway in Indiana. The plan, which is helping state employees to boost their fitness levels, is also helping them to earn up to $125,000 in donations for obesity prevention programs across the state.

According to reports, Boston-based Virgin HealthMiles, a provider of employee health and productivity programs, asked the state government to elicit roughly 250 employees that were willing to wear pedometers and then track their activity levels throughout July.

Ellen Whitt, director of the division of nutrition and physical activity at the State Department of Health (DoH) reported to the Indy Star that the DoH believed it would be a "good idea to participate for the health of the employees and to raise some funds for the work we have under way to combat obesity."

Reports show that state employees in Idaho, Pennsylvania and Texas are also tracki

ng their steps and activity levels during the program.

Activity milestones

The plan is made up of "activity milestones", which, when achieved by individual participants, can see them earn up to $500 from Virgin HealthMiles for his or her state's donation.

According to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), people should meet exceed 7000 steps daily - and this is the challenge of the plan, with participants having to log as many steps as they can each day. Those who hit as many as 12,000 steps or do activities such as elliptical training or biking will earn more "health miles" and donations, as will those who meet certain health standards for blood pressure, body mass index and other factors.

It is hoped that by leading the way with state employees, others will follow suit and health and wellness will return to the fore in terms of business focus. According to Whitt, about of half of Indiana's participants are Health Department employees and the rest are from most other offices and departments.

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