Obesity in America has reached epidemic proportions, causing serious health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

One Cleveland company decided to do something about the epidemic — and succeeded.

Recently, Ed Jacobs & Associates initiated a free corporate wellness program, called Healthy for Life with Ed Jacobs & Associates, in conjunction with PictureWellness, a company that specializes in helping people who are at high risk of obesity; diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure develop healthy lifestyles.

Ed Jacobs & Associates offers the wellness program free to the employees and their spouses of all companies that have insurance with Ed Jacobs & Associates.

During the first three months of the program, 127 participants lost a combined total of 1147 pounds. In addition, some participants either reduced or eliminated prescription medications they were taking.

The Healthy for Life with Ed Jacobs & Associates is open to all employees and their spouses of companies insured by Ed Jacobs & Associates.

The wellness program focuses on people who are at high risk because they are overweight and/or have diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. The participants lose weight through a combination of education, diet, and exercise.

The first three months of Healthy for Life recently ended with impressive results: 127 participants lost a combined total of 1,147 pounds. The three “biggest losers” were William May, who lost 45.85 pounds, seven inches around the waist, and 10.68 percentof body fat; Kathy Porter, who lost 34.75 pounds, 6.25 inches around the waist, and 6.6 percentof body fat; and Brian Beck, who lost 34.75 pounds, seven inches around the waist, and 8 percentof body fat.

In addition to losing weight, decreasing waist lines and body fat, some participants also came off their prescription diabetes and cholesterol medications or lowered the amount of prescription medicine or pain medicine.

William May actually dropped his glucose level by 43 points and was able to come off nine out of 13 prescription medications.

Employers like the Healthy for Life program with Ed Jacobs & Associates because it increases employee morale and production, lowers absenteeism, and reduces insurance claims.

Employees like the program because it puts them back in control of their health, improves their self-esteem, reduces their medical costs, lowers their risk of diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and lets them enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

The next Healthy for Life program with Ed Jacobs & Associates begins in August.

For more information about the program, call Ed Jacobs & Associates at 423-473-0202 or visit their Web site at www.edjacobs.com.

You also can call Maurice N. Saliba at 423-664-9751 or visit his Web site at www.picturewellness.com.