Iowa employers encouraged to be ?fit friendly?

DES MOINES ? The American Heart Association is looking to recognize Iowa companies who are taking steps to keep their employees healthy through its Fit-Friendly Company Certification program.

The program recognizes employers who champion the health of their employees and work to create a culture of physical activity and health in the workplace. The program offers companies several ways to be honored on an annual basis: ?Gold? is the first tier of recognition and ?Platinum? is the advanced tier. In addition, the recognition program also offers unique ?Innovation? awards for companies that creatively tackle the issue of physical inactivity.

Qualifying ?fit-friendly? activities include activities and policies such as: being smoke-free; providing walking routes; promoting walking programs and tracking tools; allowing staff to wear athletic shoes on designated ?sneaker days?; offering employees annual health risk assessments; and offering healthy eating options on site.

Companies with wellness programs can: increase worker productivity; reduce absenteeism; lower turnover rates; and reduce health care costs.

Online applications are available at http://ffc.heart.org. Applications will be accepted through Sunday.

An American Heart Association expert panel reviews applications and awards recognition to deserving companies. Each year, companies may renew their ?fit-friendly? status.

Currently, there are 520 companies nationally, including 17 Iowa companies, that have earned ?fit-friendly? certification.

To learn more about the program, requirements for recognition or benefits of recognition, visit www.startwalkingnow.org.

Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association is the nation?s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. To help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases ? America?s No. 1 and No. 3 killers ? it funds cutting-edge research, conducts lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocates to protect public health. To learn more or join in helping, call (800) 242-8721 or visit heart.org.