Leviton wins wellness challenge

The healthiest company on Long Island is also one of the newest - Leviton Manufacturing Co., which relocated its headquarters operations from Little Neck, Queens, to Melville in 2009, was declared the winner of the Long Island Corporate Wellness Challenge, sponsored by the business group Action Long Island.

Lenae Price, Action Long Island's executive director, said Leviton won in two out of three categories - Lunch and Learn Seminars and Implementing Healthy Workplace Programs - over H2M, an environmental company in Melville, which won second place, and JRS Architects PC, which has offices in Melville.

The competition required the companies to set up exercise and health and wellness programs. At Leviton, weight reduction was emphasized, as was walking. Proper nutrition was also key, with an emphasis on healthy foods and a reduction of fats.

This was the first year the Corporate Wellness Challenge was held. Twenty-two Long Island companies, encompassing more than 7,000 employees, took part. Action Long Island said the competition was aimed at creating a healthier Long Island and lowering health care costs for companies and individuals.