ARDMORE, OK - The Oklahoma State Department of Health is trying to save employer's money and improve their employee's health.

More than sixty local employers and human resource representatives attended the event called "Make It Your Business."

The training program is designed to help Oklahoma businesses teach their employees to eat better, exercise more and quit smoking.

The event was held Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Ardmore Convention Center.

Statistics show employee obesity costs employers nearly $2,500 per year, per employee.

A smoker costs businesses over $4,000 per year.

Kristi Combes with the Carter County Health Department said by helping employees get healthy, businesses could cut down on insurance expenses.

Today, attendees learned how to write their own policies regarding employee health.

"Businesses are looking for ways to lower their costs and this one of the proven ways that they can do that by increasing employee wellness," Combes said.

Combes said the meeting is held annually in Ardmore and anyone with questions regarding a healthy workplace can contact her at the Carter County Health Department.