Why nutrition counseling is the missing link to poor health

Workplace wellness programs often have a broad impact on employee well-being by typically addressing multiple pillars of health such as fitness, diet, mental health and more. With rising healthcare costs and increasing chronic condition rates, employers are increasingly turning to comprehensive approaches that can improve the health and well-being of their people. Yet there is one key component that is underdeveloped or overlooked entirely: nutrition.  

It's no secret that many costly chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity are tied to poor nutrition. And it's not just healthcare costs. Employees with a poor diet are 66% more likely to be less productive than their counterparts.  

So, with the rise of GLP-1 usage that reduces the risk of chronic conditions, does nutrition counseling still matter? Absolutely. Even more than ever. Everyone can benefit from nutrition counseling, and proper dietary support is especially important for those with a chronic condition and/or taking a weight-loss medication. Studies show that nutrition counseling can reduce the risk and severity of chronic disease and that pairing GLP-1 and nutrition counseling can enhance outcomes and adherence. 

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The bottom line: Nutrition counseling is an effective, but often underutilized tool that employers can tap to address chronic conditions, increase wellness program return on investment (ROI) and improve employee productivity — especially in the era of GLP-1s.  

Nutrition plays a critical role in employee well-being, affecting both their physical and mental health. From medical outcomes and energy levels to productivity and employee engagement, the difference between poor vs. good nutrition makes a vital impact on organizational health. This is especially apparent when considering chronic conditions and productivity.  

According to the CDC, nutrition plays a pivotal role in the prevention, management and treatment of many chronic conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression and some cancers. In the U.S, more than half of adults are affected by chronic disease and poor diet is the leading cause of mortality. Tackling the cost of obesity-related chronic conditions is a complicated web for employers to navigate.  

As for productivity, better nutrition makes a positive impact at both an individual and organizational level. Research has found that employees who eat a healthy diet are 25% more likely to have higher job performance and increased cognitive function. Multiple studies have also found that higher work engagement is associated with healthier nutrition. 

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By addressing high-cost chronic disease through nutrition counseling, organizations can expect a positive ROI due to lower health-care costs and increased productivity. The U.S. Department of Defense saved more than $3 million in its first year of using nutrition counseling with 600,000-plus patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and renal disease. 

The benefits of a nutrition counseling program are clear, but what should benefit advisers look for in a solution for their employer clients? Consider the following components: 

1. Expert-level care
Access to vetted experts is crucial to receiving safe and effective care. Is the program built upon evidence-based recommendations under the guidance of qualified nutrition experts? Do the participants have access to registered dietitian nutritionists and certified health coaches? If any employees are taking compound GLP-1s, does the solution use certified obesity experts? Be sure to ask these questions when assessing whether a program can deliver results while minimizing risk.  

2. Personalization
Most organizations are moving away from one-size-fits-all solutions that fail to account for the unique needs of their workforce. Effective care considers individual factors such as chronic disease requirements, individualized dietary needs, personal preferences, lifestyle, budget, obesity medications usage and more.

3. Low barrier to engagement
People don't engage with a program they don't connect with, and engagement is a key indicator of clinical outcomes. Ensure that the program your client chooses makes deliberate efforts to increase engagement through personalization, multi-channel communication and comprehensive reporting.

4. A foundation of behavior change
Making behavior change the backbone of your client's wellness benefits strategy will amplify the impact. A good behavior-change program uses proven methodologies and evidence-based interventions to deliver sustainable health improvements. This is the opposite of a band-aid solution and meant to empower employees to build healthier habits for lasting change.

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Healthcare costs and chronic conditions may be rising but offering nutrition counseling through a proven solution within a comprehensive benefits strategy will improve employee health, reduce health-care costs and increase productivity.