Rising healthcare costs and increasing rates of obesity in children and adults are forcing the majority of local businesses to pay closer attention to the overall health of their workforce. According to a recent estimation from The American Journal of Health Promotion, obese employees cost employers an estimated 56% more than employees of average rate.

So how are businesses addressing this important issue with their employees? Many employers – both small and large - are turning to workplace-organized health and wellness initiatives to help create and stay committed to a healthy work environment for employees year-round.

Each year, Atlanta’s ‘Most Fit’ companies are evaluated by a Worksite Workgroup of Georgia’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative – a joint effort between the Division of Public Health and its public, private and non-profit partners - and recognized for their efforts at the 26th annual Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk in September.

The Kaiser Permanente (KP) Corporate Cup was developed to recognize companies who commit year-round to providing a healthy work environment for their employees. The KP Corporate Cup award is presented to businesses based on employee size in four categories: 5,000-plus employees; 1,000 – 4,999 employees, 100 – 999 employees; and under 100 employees.

Companies are judged on a variety of employee health and wellness initiatives such as: on-site wellness and fitness centers, health prevention and screening programs, health risk assessments, flexible work schedules, annual physicals, employee assistance programs and safety programs, such as CPR, first-aid and automated external defibrillator (AED) training.

Winners of the 2008 KP Corporate Cup will be revealed at the 26th annual Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk – the largest workplace organized corporate wellness program in the Southeast – to be held on Thursday, September 25, 2008, at 7 p.m. in downtown Atlanta adjacent to Turner Field. Last year’s winners included:

· ING: 5,000+ employees
· The Southern Company: 1,000 – 4,999 employees
· Chick-fil-A: 100 – 999 employees
· McCarthy Building Companies: less than 100 employees

Submissions are still being accepted for the 2008 KP Corporate Cup Award in each category. For additional information or to submit an entry please visit www.kpcorporaterunwalk.com or call 404-843-8727.