A majority (58 percent) of workers say their employer provides information about exercise and healthy eating.79 percent of workers agree that company wellness programs help workers develop better lifestyles, and 74 percent agree that they increase productivity and lower healthcare costsNearly half (49 percent) of those who say they are significantly or slightly overweight express interest in workplace or social organization weight loss competitions.Weight loss for a worthy cause: Nearly six out of ten Minnesotans (58 percent) say they would be interested in a workplace weight loss competition if it promised to donate one dollar's worth of food to each contestant's local food shelf for every pound they lose.

Stress

Minnesotans are stressed out. Fully 76 percent say they experience stress somewhat regularly in their daily life.Among parents, stress levels rise even further, as 84 percent of dads and 90 percent of moms report regular encounters with stress.Interestingly, those who do not have health insurance are actually less stressed than those with health insurance: where 76 percent of those with health insurance say they experience stress regularly, the number falls to 70 percent among those without it.For most Minnesotans (53 percent), the most typical source of stress is their work. Thirty-three percent of Minnesotans blamed finances as the main source of stress, and 24 percent listed family.

In addition to the Shape of Minnesota project, The Alliance for a Healthier Minnesota sponsored "Too Much to Lose, A Minnesota Story," a documentary about obesity in Minnesota. The documentary aired on all local NBC stations in Minnesota on Saturday, May 8 at 8 p.m., and is available online at mnalliance/our-stories#Documentary

At the end of this month, the Alliance will also be sponsoring The Biggest Loser Summer Challenge. This Summer Challenge is the first in a series of competitive health and wellness competitions designed to promote weight loss, nutrition and physical activity in Minnesota. It will pit the employees of Alliance companies in a friendly battle focused on health. During the Summer Challenge, which runs May 27 through September 2, 2010, employees can earn points for healthy behaviors, like dropping extra pounds, hitting the gym and eating low-fat foods. At the competition's end, a corporate champion will be named, and a charitable donation will be made in their name to Second Harvest Heartland here in Minnesota. To see the current standings of the Biggest Loser Summer Challenge, go to wwwpeteforhealth.

The Alliance for a Healthier Minnesota is run by the i.e. network, a public affairs firm founded by Rick Kupchella and Tom Mason.

SOURCE i.e. network