County employees see less of themselves

Governments really can trim fat after all.

Maybe not out of bloated budgets, but nearly 1,000 Manatee County employees did something more personal: They lost a combined 5.4 tons, or 10,875 pounds, through YWeight, a new long-term health and fitness program at the county. The fat-trimmers, 996 in total, lost an average of 10.9 pounds per person, according to a county press release.

“Our members are more productive at work, they have more energy, they're happier,” Manatee Employee Health Benefits Manager Kim Stroud says in the release. “There's a real sense of accomplishment and camaraderie at work, you can see that in people's faces.”
The loss figures are diverse. Two employees lost more than 70 pounds, and two others dropped between 60 and 69 pounds, the county says. Out of 2,138 people who fully participated in the program, almost 340 people lost at least 2% of their body weight and 1,033 lost 5% or more.

Manatee County has about 1,600 employees, and about 4,000 adults are in enrolled in the Manatee YourChoice health plan, which includes employees' spouses and dependents. Participants in the YWeight program could earn up to $400 in “health bucks” for meeting weight and body mass index goals. Health bucks can be used toward co-pays or to reduce insurance premiums, the county says.

The weight loss isn't only is good for the individuals, it's a boost for the county. For one, preventative Type II diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure numbers among employees have dropped. The rate of in-patient hospital visits is down 22%, the county says, while chronic illness is down 10% over the past year.