Sometimes, physical weight can deter an
employee from performing to their full-
est extent and in such cases, Dr. Wharton
recommends employers support the use
of medication or bariatric surgery. Medi-
cation can change the hypothalamus’ re-
sponse to the energy that’s coming in and
bariatric surgery can alter the hormonal
levels within the brain — both allow for
a different form of processing of calories
to take place and are the best options to
keep weight off permanently. The result of
this support is employers equipped with a
healthier workforce with improved psycho-
logical and metabolic profiles.
“Access [to medication] alone isn’t enough.The fact that the drug may be covered
isn’t sufficient.” Cathy Fuchs, employee benefits consultant
JUNE 2016
H
business elite canada
9
