Press Release

Health and Wellness

Company earns recognition for fifth straight year; takes steps to decrease healthcare expenses, increase productivity

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company has been recognized as a Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite by the American Heart Association for helping employees eat better and move more.

"We are committed to providing the healthiest workplace environment to benefit our associates' overall health and well-being," said Su Lok, Director of Corporate and Community Partnerships, ScottsMiracle-Gro. "We are honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association as a Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite for the fifth consecutive year."

Platinum-level employers:

• Offer employees physical activity options in the workplace.
• Increase healthy eating options at the worksite.
• Promote a wellness culture in the workplace.
• Implement at least nine criteria outlined by the American Heart Association in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture.
• Demonstrate measurable outcomes related to workplace wellness.

The Fit-Friendly Worksites program is a catalyst for positive change in the American workforce by helping worksites make their employees' health a priority. American employers are losing an estimated $225.8 billion a year because of healthcare expenses and health-related losses in productivity, and those numbers are rising. Many American adults spend most of their waking hours at sedentary jobs. Their lack of regular physical activity raises their risk for a host of medical problems, such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Employers face $12.7 billion in annual medical expenses due to obesity alone. The American Heart Association is working to change corporate cultures by motivating employees to start walking, which has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity.

"The Fit-Friendly Worksites Program offers easy-to-implement ways for organizations to help employees eat better and move more, which will help improve their health and their employer's bottom line," said Beth Tyburski, Senior Director for the Great Rivers Affiliate, American Heart Association. "Even people who haven't exercised regularly until middle age can reap significant benefits by starting a walking program."

For more information about the Fit-Friendly Worksites program and how it's helping to improve the health of Americans by focusing on the workplace, visit heart.org/worksitewellness.