104 BROOKLYN NEWS WWW.BROOKLYN-USA.ORG
WELLNESS at WORK
The battle against diabetes, heart
disease, and other chronic illnesses
has grown into a public health crisis in
Brooklyn. There are hundreds of thousands
of people in the borough struggling
with diseases that can be averted
or reversed with shifts in the way we
look at food and physical activity.
“More than 29 million Americans
have diabetes, and one in four do not
even know it; I was one of them,” said
Borough President Adams. “Diabetes
can have a devastating impact on your
body and can lead to blindness, heart
disorder, kidney failure, limb amputation,
and possible dialysis.”
Borough President Adams understands
both how difficult it is to receive
life-endangering news and how to look
at it as an opportunity for self-reflection
and positive change. In response to his
own Type 2 diabetes diagnosis, Borough
President Adams completely transformed
his diet by becoming a vegan,
bolstering his exercise routine, and beginning
a journey toward better holistic
health. His office refrigerator is stocked
with fresh fruits and vegetables, with
which he prepares meals during the
workday, and he frequently uses a stationary
bike or a mini-stepper to keep
up his heart rate while conducting
business. One year later, his diagnosis
has been reversed and he has lost 30
pounds in the process.
“After I learned of my diagnosis, I
changed my eating habits to include
fresh produce, and I eliminated processed
foods and sugar,” said Borough
President Adams. “I have never felt better
and am now in more control of my
health. Brooklynites also have the power
to control their wellness, at home and
in the workplace.”
With that spirit, Borough President
Adams capped American Heart
Month in February with the launch of
the Brooklyn Healthy Workplace Challenge
in collaboration with the American
Heart Association (AHA), aimed at
changing the dietary and exercise habits
at businesses across the borough.
Both Borough President Adams and
the AHA have recognized the important
role that the environments in which
Brooklynites live, work, study, play, and
pray impact their health. By addressing
these settings directly, their shared mission
of the Brooklyn Healthy Workplace
Challenge is to make the healthy choice
the default choice through a “culture
of health,” starting with the food and
beverage options inside and outside of
one’s place of employment.
“To make the necessary changes in
our daily lives, we need to look at the little
things that we do every day to make
a difference in our health,” said Borough
President Adams. “A large part of daily
life is spent at work, and the things we
eat at work shape our dietary habits at
home.”
Putting words to action, Borough
President Adams implemented a new
food policy at Brooklyn Borough Hall
last year, encouraging outside organizations
that utilize the People’s House and
provide food for their events to use recommended
guidelines for healthier options.
He has also stripped the building’s
beverage machine of sugary drinks
and the snack machine of unnaturally
sweetened or deep-fried products. Now,
the offerings include diet soda, dried
fruit, nuts, protein bars, sparkling water,
and whole-grain baked potato chips.
Borough President Adams is encouraging
businesses across Brooklyn to
implement similar practices, which can
earn them points through the Brooklyn
Healthy Workplace Challenge. Companies
can earn a Bronze Heart, Silver
Heart, or Golden Heart designation
through their progress. Participants in
this initiative include 1776, Brooklyn
Chamber of Commerce, Brooklyn Navy
Yard Development Corporation, Downtown
Brooklyn Partnership, DUMBO
Business Improvement District (BID),
Forest City Ratner Companies, IMPACCT
Brooklyn, Industry City, Motivate, and the
Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID.
Businesses interested in participating
in the Brooklyn Healthy Workplace
Challenge can register at heart.org/
foodwhereur. For the 2017-2018 edition
of the challenge, the deadline to register
is Friday, September 1st. Borough President
Adams and AHA will announce the
winners at next year’s launch during
American Heart Month in February.
“I ask you to join me as we make
Brooklyn the healthiest borough to work
in, a model for our entire nation and its
workforce,” said Borough President Adams.
“Together, we can improve Brooklyn’s
health and wellness.”
Workplace Wellness Tips
from BP Adams
• Bike or walk to and/or from work, preferably with a group.
• Dedicate part of your work break to light exercise, or utilize a ministepper
while working.
• Improve vending machine beverage choices by reducing the number of
sugar-sweetened drinks, providing milk alternatives, and plenty of water.
• Offer at least one fruit or vegetable with every meal.
• Serve whole-grain starches and foods prepared through healthier
cooking methods than frying.
• Use a standing desk; a do-it-yourself version could involve items such
as a converted music stand.
Photo Credit: Erica Sherman/Brooklyn BP’s Office
Borough President Adams launched the Brooklyn Healthy Workplace Challenge in collaboration with the American
Heart Association (AHA), aimed at changing the dietary and exercise habits at businesses across the borough; the
announcement took place in the Brooklyn Navy Yard at 1776, a global innovation network and startup incubator participating
in the challenge.