43% of Swiss are overweight:

causes, impacts and sustainable solutions

A growing problem :

With 43% of the Swiss population affected by overweight or obesity, the increase in this public health problem is giving rise to growing concern. This phenomenon, highlighted by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO), reflects a worrying trend in lifestyles and their impact.

The figures :

Since 1992, overweight has soared from 30% to 43% of the population. This progression is accompanied by some worrying data:

  • Increase in average weight : +5.5 kg for men and +4.3 kg for women in 30 years. 
  • Gender differences : more than one man in two is overweight, compared with one woman in three. 
  • Comparison : although the figures are three times lower than in the United States (34% obese, versus 12% in Switzerland), Switzerland is recording a steady increase.

These trends can be explained by more sedentary lifestyles, unbalanced diets and a growing mental workload. All of these factors can be mitigated by appropriate measures.

Health risks and their consequences :

Overweight and obesity are more than just statistics: they have direct and serious repercussions on individual health.

  • Cardiovascular diseases : hypertension, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. These pathologies increase the risk of serious complications, such as vascular and cardiac accidents. 
  • Musculoskeletal disorders : excess weight puts significant strain on the entire musculoskeletal system, significantly increasing the risk of chronic pain and functional disorders. 
  • Mental health : obesity is associated with an increased risk of severe depression and reduced overall quality of life. 
  • Reduced productivity : these conditions lead to more frequent absences from work, impacting companies both financially and in human terms.

Prevention solutions :

Companies have concrete levers at their disposal to prevent these risks by introducing workplace health and well-being policies. Here are a few possible initiatives to encourage a prevention dynamic:

1. Raise awareness through educational workshops :

  • Balanced diet : individual and group coaching on understanding energy requirements, choosing the right foods, and integrating simple, healthy meals into daily life.
  • Stress management : practical tools to prevent chronic stress, which encourages snacking and weight gain.

With RelaxInc, benefit from sessions led by experts in nutrition and health, tailored to your needs for maximum impact.

2. Encourage physical activity :

  • Yoga classes and physical activities : organize regular sessions to stimulate activity.
  • Active break programs : set up fun challenges to encourage movement throughout the day.

RelaxInc offers turnkey solutions for introducing these activities into your organization.

3. Encourage recovery :

  • Rest areas : install Power Nap chairs to encourage micro-naps, a proven way of improving alertness and performance at work.
  • Managing work rhythms : make your teams aware of the importance of taking regular breaks to avoid overwork.

4. Create a culture of overall well-being :

  • Communication : regular sharing of health tips via newsletters or an app.
  • Long-term integration : health programs should not be episodic, but ongoing and evolutionary.

Preserving the health of your employees means improving their well-being and reinforcing collective success. Invest in your teams’ well-being: a healthy working environment is the key to a sustainable future.