WASHINGTON, June 14 -- The National Business Group on Health, a national non-profit organization, today honored Pitney Bowes for its commitment and dedication to combating obesity and promoting a healthy lifestyle for its employees. Pitney Bowes was among 33 employers who received the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles award at the Leadership Summit sponsored by the Business Group's Institute on the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity. Pitney Bowes received a Gold Medal Award for its "Health Care University" program. This is the second consecutive year Pitney Bowes has received an award. "We are honored to accept this award in recognition of the numerous programs and investments that Pitney Bowes has created for its employees," said Dr. Brent Pawlecki, associate medical director at Pitney Bowes. "Our company recognizes the incredible resource that is our work force and invests in and encourages healthy behaviors." Pitney Bowes has operated a "Health Care University" wellness program for more than 10 years, which continues to evolve and become more sophisticated with time. Our current program is entitled "Count Your Way to Health," and incents healthy behaviors surrounding five factors: smoking cessation, healthy eating, proper weight, physical activity and seat belt and helmet use. "We are thrilled to honor Pitney Bowes for their ongoing commitment and dedication to providing lifestyle improvement programs designed to reduce obesity and encourage healthier living for their employees," said Helen Darling, President of the Business Group. "Pitney Bowes leaders are visionaries and know how critical it is that they support their employees' efforts to choose healthier lifestyles." Now in its second year, the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards acknowledge and reward those employers that recognize the urgent need to improve their workers' health, productivity and quality of life. The underlying goal of the program is to serve as a catalyst to encourage all employers to take action. Winners of the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards were honored in one of three categories: Platinum, for established programs with measurable outcomes; Gold, for creating cultural and environmental changes that support employees who have made a commitment to long-term behavior changes; and Silver, for those employers who have launched significant programs or services to promote living a healthier lifestyle.