Health Dept Encourages Healthy Workplaces (posted: 10/26/11)

Source: Volusia County Health Department
Contact: Stefany Strong, Public Information Officer

 

(Wellness Council Urges Adoption of Healthy Meeting Guidelines)

 

DAYTONA BEACH – In an effort to improve the health of the work force in our community, the Worksite Wellness Council of Volusia County is encouraging employers to adopt healthy meeting and vending guidelines.

The council consists of wellness coordinators from the City of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College, DMS Automotive, Early Learning Coalition of Flagler Volusia, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, Volusia County Government, Volusia County Health Department and Volusia Flagler Family YMCA.

In Volusia County, about 59 percent of adults are inactive at work and only 27.9 percent consume at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, according to the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Florida Community Health Assessment Resource Tool Set.

The guidelines suggest that employers provide the following items during meetings:

• Bite-sized fruits and vegetables like grapes, cherries, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes and broccoli florets

• Dried fruit and trail mix

•  Pita chips served with hummus

•  Low-fat yogurt in a variety of flavors

• Water flavored with slices of lemon, lime, cucumber or watermelon

•  Physical activity breaks during meetings

“By adopting these guidelines, businesses will be committing to provide a healthier environment for their employees and community partners,” said Dr. Celeste Philip, assistant director of Public Health for the Volusia County Health Department. “We hope to help people make the healthy choice become the easy choice where we live, work and play.”

To adopt the guidelines for your workplace, visit www.volusiahealth.com and complete the Healthy Meeting Guidelines Registration Form. By adopting the guidelines, your workplace will be recognized on the health department’s website as a participating organization and will receive a certificate of acknowledgement.