For those of us who spend countless hours sitting in front of a computer screen, getting fat eating cheese danishes and washing them down with cup after cup of coffee, there is hope. A new trend is taking shape across the U.S.: company wellness incentives.

According to a CNN Money report: "Employee programs that promote healthy lifestyles with monetary carrots and sticks are becoming increasingly popular. In fact, 46 percent of employers offer incentive-based wellness plans, according to a recent study by Watson Wyatt and the National Business Group on Health, and that proportion is expected to grow to 70 percent by 2009."

Employers have figured out that giving financial incentives to keep their workers healthier actually saves them tons of money as employees call in sick much less. This is a classic win/ win situation; employers save money and employees get healthy.

Of course, there are those critics who warn that this could constitute a hostile work environment and is illegal. After all, no one can force an employee to lose weight or lead a healthier lifestyle. To those critics I say, lighten up! (couldn't resist).

For investors, companies like Healthways (NASDAQ: HWAY) are in this space. Aside from working with individuals, Healthways is also working with employers to create tailored-made programs for staff to help make them healthier.

With obesity a growing problem, it seems that employer wellness incentives are going to be more common place.

Aaron Katsman is the lead Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. and Senior Editor of IsraelNewsletter.com. DISCLOSURE: Writer's fund has no position in any stock mentioned, as of 7/7/08.

Corporate America gets healthier through wellness incentives originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.