Highlighted below are five key takeaways from the report, separated by common health measures. Percentages may not add up to 100 due to rounding.
Cholesterol
1. Seventy-one percent of workers screened exhibited total cholesterol levels in the optimal range, 22 percent were in the borderline high range and 7 percent were in the high range.
Blood sugar
2. The vast majority (85 percent) exhibited blood glucose levels in the normal range, while 12 percent were in the pre-diabetes range.
Blood pressure
3. More than one-third (36 percent) of the employees fell within the normal blood pressure range, 50 percent exhibited pre-hypertension and 11 percent had stage 1 hypertension.
Body mass index
4. Regarding BMI, 29 percent of the employees fell in the normal range, 34 percent were overweight, 29 percent were obese and 7 percent were in the extremely obese range.
5. Thirty-six percent had a waist circumference that was categorized as “high.” Waist circumference can help assess body weight because carrying extra fat around the belly can put people at a higher risk for some obesity-related complications.
The authors of the report wrote they were “surprised at how well employees scored across the board. There could be a positive tilt because people who are comfortable with their health are more likely to attend a screening in the first place.”
To access “The Health Status Report of America’s Workforce,” click here.
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