Should your boss help you lose weight?

As Americans get fatter and fatter, their employers are looking to do something about it. But it seems that most companies aren't just guided by altruism. According to an Associated Press piece, "A study published in April by a group of Duke University researchers showed obese employees had higher rates of workers' compensation claims, more lost work days and costlier medical bills than their trim coworkers."

Even Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) has gotten in on the act. In April, I wrote that Wal-Mart was starting a line of self-help classes and group for its employees. In the states where the programs have been launched, 50% of employees have signed up for programs that involve quitting smoking, saving money on electricity, and healthy eating. Group aerobics classes and employee jogs have also taken root at the company.

Some might see efforts at helping employees lose weight as intrusive or big brother-ish. But this is a health issue, and given the employers will ultimately pay the price for unhealthy lifestyles, it's great that they are looking to help employees change.

While it's surprising that Wal-Mart is quietly leading the charge on this issue, it's indicative of the great power that Wal-Mart has to do good when it wants to.