California Debt Collection Agency Steps Up to Fight Obesity

Salinas, Calif.-based debt collection agency Credit Consulting Services, Inc. (CCS) implemented an initiative in early January to educate and motivate employees to live healthier lifestyles.

Rodney Meeks, CCS vice president started the initiative. “It’s a wellness program for employees, a national program to make them feel better about themselves,” Meeks told insideARM.

The agency has 28 employees; more than half are currently participating in the initiative.

All of the participants have a stated goal to lose 10 percent of their total body weight by the end of June. Weigh-ins are scheduled every Monday morning and employees have a chance to win two cash prizes by losing five percent of their total body weight by the end of March, and then losing another five percent by the end of June.

Meeks said he had been thinking about the initiative for a while. It is perfect for the typical office setting where there is a lot of unhealthy eating, people going out and getting fast food, he noted. Meeks also said that it is economically sound, because insurance premiums are escalating.

“A lot of this is concern for employees and their well being and their health,” he said.

A speech on a 100 year old heart at a seminar hosted by Jerry Seinfeld’s personal physician motivated Meeks to implement healthier initiatives at the office. “I’m kind of promoting the Weight Watchers system, because it’s worked for me. I’ve done some cooking demonstrations in the office to promote what type of things we can eat that will satisfy us,” he said.

According to Dr, Madelyn Fernstrom founder and director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Weight Management Center, “High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are three of the most common diagnoses in the United States. Diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol (leading to clogged arteries), stroke, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and sleep apnea all are closely associated with overweight and obesity.”

In order to help employees live healthier, CCS holds occasional lunches and education track meetings once a week. These meetings are designed to help employees target and plan for their weight loss goal.

So far the program has shown good results. The debt collection agency has collectively lost 72 pounds to date.

“It’s really fostering a positive work atmosphere. People are excited about it. They’re really conscious about what they’re eating now. They want to look good. They want to feel good,” Meeks said.

Feeling good also helps produce a better worker. Meeks noted, “If you take a look at all the things that add up to stress: not feeling good about yourself, a hard job and not eating right, all those things are stressful. It’s all about feeling good about yourself, and it’s a scientific fact that exercise is an excellent way to reduce stress.”

The agency is also scheduled to participate in an exercise challenge hosted by CCS client, Silinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System on Monday.