An Increase in Employer-Sponsored Wellness Programs

iVillage.com: The Biggest Health Trends of 2013

As health care costs continue to rise for both individuals and corporations, more and more employers are beginning to penalize unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, and reward healthy behavior, like regular exercise. “Many companies have been offering incentives for participating in health improvement activities for several years, and we are seeing more companies turning to offers of discounted costs on health benefit plans, instead of prizes,” explains Tom Fogarty, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for Concentra, the nation’s largest provider of employer health care services. “Wellness and prevention are taking a larger role in the new health care landscape, and there will continue to be more emphasis on utilization of these benefits in the coming year,” he says.

Companies will be spending more on wellness programs designed to improve employee health and reduce long-term costs, Dr. Fogarty says, and encourage employees to get health screenings and assessments. And don’t be surprised if your company decides to turn one of its conference rooms into a fitness facility -- more and more companies are utilizing some of their own square footage for regular spaces where employees can come to sweat with their colleagues for free. Others offer full-scale gyms for free or at a low cost as a way to incentivize disease-preventing exercise.

(CREDIT: Jeanene Scott/The Image Bank/Getty Images)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

More from this Slideshow

0 of 0

Instead of Healt...

As more and more consumers become fed up with insurance companies’ co-pays, deductibles and having to choose ‘in-network’ providers, 2013 will see big growth in the field of concierge medicine. Boutique, or concierge, medicine (also known as retainer based or direct care) offers patients the opportunity to pay an annual fee or retainer directly to their doctor, instead of relying only insurance for coverage.

“The new affordability of concierge medicine is driving the middle class to it in droves,” says Matt Jacobson, CEO of SignatureMD, a concierge medicine provider. “Over the last five years, it's increased 500 percent and the trend promises to accelerate because of a looming doctor shortage, a graying population that will need more health care, and the advent of Obamacare, in which 30 million previously uninsured Americans will enter the health care system,” Jacobson explains. Some of the advantages of concierge medicine include lower overall health care costs and more personalized and preventative care. The downside is these services are not typically covered by insurance and retainer fees may not cover the costs of testing, medications or other services provided by your doctor. You may not want to get rid of your policy entirely in the event of emergency care and hospital visits. Even so, Jacobson notes that a typical family of four can actually save money using a concierge physician by opting for a higher deductible with their existing insurance plan and using the savings to pay the retainer.

(CREDIT: PhotoAlto/Ale Ventura/PhotoAlto Agency RF Collections/Getty Images)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

'Earthing'

Earthing is the theory that the surface of the earth contains a subtle, natural electrical energy that provide us numerous health benefits by walking barefoot, sitting or sleeping on the ground. The concept is creating a buzz as emerging research indicates this planetary energy does boost the body’s self-healing mechanisms by reducing inflammation and pain, improving sleep, and helping to defuse stress, explains Stephen Sinatra, M.D., a cardiologist and co-author of "Earthing." “I believe that earthing is the most important health breakthrough that I have witnessed in my 35 years of practicing medicine,” says Dr. Sinatra.

(CREDIT: Stanislav Solntsev/Digital Vision/Getty Images)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

New Advances in ...

More than one third of the American population is considered obese and a growing number of people are turning to weight-loss surgery, like gastric bypass and gastric banding (Lap-Band) to improve their health and keep the weight off for good, says Angela Jack Glasnapp, M.D., a bariatric surgeon at Somerset Medical Center.

Now there are a some new weight-loss surgeries gaining in popularity. One relatively new procedure is the sleeve gastrectomy, where a surgeon removes approximately 85 percent of the patient’s stomach, converting it into a banana-shaped organ from its original football size. Another operation called gastric plication involves strategically placing stitches in the stomach to convert it into a smaller tube without actually cutting the stomach, Glasnapp explains. Both procedures help greatly restrict the volume of food patients can consume to spur weight loss.

To qualify for weight-loss surgery patients need to be 100 pounds (or more) overweight, or have a BMI of 35 or greater with obesity-related conditions, like diabetes. Talk with your doctor and insurance provider to find out which surgeries are covered, though many insurance companies don't yet cover the newer procedures, such as gastric placation, according to Glasnapp.

(CREDIT: David Sacks/The Image Bank/Getty Images)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Natural Breast I...

Silicone is so last year! The latest trend in breast augmentation is to go au natural by using your own fat to enhance your cup size instead of silicone or saline implants. Approximately 4 million women in the Unites States have breast implants and many of those implants will need to be replaced after 10 years, says Peter Fodor, M.D., a cosmetic surgeon in Beverly Hills, Calif. About 15 to 20 percent of women with silicone implants will experience a hardening of the implant, says Dr. Fodor, and many are at risk for leakage or even rupturing, making this new trend a safer long-term alternative.

(CREDIT: Ben Welsh/age footstock/Getty Images)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

A Shift Toward a...

Expect to see a noticeable shift from the ‘no pain, no gain’ fitness mentality -- thinks CrossFit, P90X and Insanity -- as the fitness industry begins to embrace a milder approach to exercise using movements similar to the way the body moves in everyday life, and keeping the body mobile and injury-free for the long haul.

We’re going to see a more personalized, thoughtful approach to activity, says Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D. and Chief Science Officer for the American Council on Exercise. As the needs of exercisers continue to diversify, more fitness professionals will move into specialized areas of training, like orthopedic and therapeutic exercise, in order to better address aging issues, metabolic diseases and orthopedic conditions. Look for more fitness options that also focus on joint-friendly approaches to exercise and expansions in mind/body workouts such as yoga, Bryant explains.

(CREDIT: John Howard/Photodisc/Getty Images)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Group Personal T...

If one of your reasons for not exercising regularly has been a lack of funds, get ready to cross that off your excuse list this year! Getting fit has never been more affordable. Personal training in small groups is one of the top 10 fitness trends for 2013, according to both the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise. “Small-group personal training is growing quite rapidly,” Bryant says, and it’s no surprise – it's a more affordable way to get personal attention without the higher price tag. Plus, it can be less intimidating to train in a small group since the spotlight isn’t just on you, Bryant explains.

And forget forking over big bucks to join a gym filled with fancy equipment or buying home exercise gadgets. Bodyweight training, or using your own body as resistance (cost: $0!), is also a hot fitness trend. According to Bryant, there's going to be a return to tried-and-true calisthenics, like pushups, squats and lunges.

(CREDIT: Michael Deleon/E+/Getty Images)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Diets Focused on...

We saw gluten-free diets explode this past year, and the trend will continue as new programs pop up aimed at avoiding food sensitivities. In addition to gluten, look for soy, dairy and healthy sugars to be on the food sensitivity list, says J.J. Virgin, a certified nutrition specialist and author of "The Virgin Diet."

Why scratch these from your diet? Soy is a ubiquitous food that's been incorrectly labeled as healthy, though it made into everything from soy dogs to soy ice cream. In reality, soy is a highly reactive food (meaning it can cause sensitive or allergic reactions) that's been linked to several cancers, thyroid issues and is a high-pesticide, genetically modified organism (GMO) food, says Virgin. “Asian cultures typically use fermented soy like miso or tempeh, which can be healthy in small amounts if you don't react to soy, but the processed soy stuff is just junk food in disguise.” And Virgin isn’t crazy about dairy, either. “Dairy is another highly reactive food that could create inflammation and may trigger several skin problems like acne and rosacea, and I am happily seeing more dairy alternatives in the supermarket these days, such as coconut milk and almond milk,” she says.

It’s also time to get rid of the trend of using so-called healthy alternative sweeteners, says Virgin. “People are using a lot of honey, agave and that sort of thing, not aware that these things still break down to sugar in your body. Agave is the worst. It is up to 97 percent fructose, which can create liver problems and inflammation. Excess sugar becomes triglycerides in the liver, which stores as fat,” explains Virgin. She recommends using monk fruit, a new kind of no-calorie sweetener made from actual monk fruit, xylitol, erythritol or stevia as sweeteners instead.

(CREDIT: John Carey/Photolibrary/Getty Images)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

An Increase in E...

The Full Story from iVillage.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

More Back Pain S...

It’s estimated that 31 million people in the United States are currently experiencing back pain, costing about $91 million dollars a year in lost wages, as well as steroid injections, expensive and often unnecessary MRI scans and surgeries. And those numbers are projected to grow tremendously in the next 10 to 20 years, putting more strain on the medical system.

Expect to see a rise in the number of back pain specialists and treatment choices available this year as more chiropractors, osteopaths and occupational therapists offer alternative options for managing and preventing back pain beyond prescription drugs and injections.

With more being diagnosed with conditions such as degenerative disc disease, arthritis, herniated discs, bone spurs and spinal stenosis, the need for new and improved treatment options for back pain will grow in 2013, says Yoav Suprun, DPT, a McKenzie physical therapist specializing in back pain treatment and prevention at Sobe Spine in Miami Beach. The old recommendations of passive treatments such as bed rest, hot or cold packs, electrical stimulation or ultrasound for back pain have been proven to be mostly ineffective. Steroid injections may offer temporary relief, but the pain often returns within weeks. Active care such as therapeutic exercises, stabilization exercises, mobilization and manipulation has been proven to be superior treatments and are now part of back-care guidelines worldwide, says Suprun. Two suggestions you're likely to hear to help prevent, reduce or even eliminate back pain: Maintain proper posture while seated at the computer and lift objects properly (feet wide apart, bend at the knees not the waist, and lift the object close to your body).

(CREDIT: Peter Dazeley/Photographer’s Choice/Getty Images)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Programs for Pre...

Thanks in large part to Michele Obama’s ‘Let’s Move!’ campaign, school-aged children are being exposed to programs and services focused on nutrition and exercise. But that may not be enough. “The best window of opportunity to beat obesity may be before children ever even enter school. It’s a conclusion that’s gaining acceptance among health experts, including the Institute of Medicine and the White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity,” says Julie Boman, M.D., a pediatrician at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. Obesity may be the greatest public health threat of our time, and early intervention in a child’s first few years should complement the programs aimed at older kids (ages 5 and up) currently in place.

“Our best chance of defeating obesity is by preventing it in the first place and I expect we will continue to see more obesity prevention and wellness campaigns planned and implemented through a multi-tiered approach that starts with pregnancy,” says Dr. Boman, who expects we’ll see messaging focused on helping entire families develop healthy eating and lifestyle habits in the coming year. “There are a number of great national resources available, such as Let’s Go and the American Academy of Pediatrics, but parents should also use their local resources and learn to be advocates for their kids’ health from pregnancy, through early childhood and school years. Pediatric and other primary care providers and schools are excellent resources for parents and expecting parents, as are local YMCA and YWCA chapters, local parks and recreation, and community education centers,” she says.

(CREDIT: Martin Barraud/OJO Images/Getty Images)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

More from iVilla... What else should be look out for in the upcoming year? Organic, locally-sourced beauty products, treatments and more!

(Credit: Chris Gramly/E+/Getty Images)