NEWPORT NEWS, Va., July 31, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announced today that its Newport News Shipbuilding division and its AMSEC LLC subsidiary were once again recognized by the American Heart Association for going above and beyond for employees’ health. Both Newport News and AMSEC were awarded the association’s Fit-Friendly Worksite status for the second and fourth consecutive year.

“We are proud to encourage and support wellness of employees and their families,” said Bill Bell, Newport News’ vice president of human resources and administration. “We are constantly looking for ways to improve the wellness culture for Newport News Shipbuilding employees as well as those at AMSEC and elsewhere. The American Heart Association has again recognized our efforts at providing holistic wellness programs that encourage healthy eating and physical activity.”

Newport News received the Platinum Fit-Friendly status this year. This status is given to worksites that implement physical and nutrition activities and demonstrate a behavior change or a cost savings outcome due to its wellness culture. Newport News was awarded the gold status in 2014. To improve employees’ health, Newport News provides fitness classes and a walking path for employees in addition to healthy eating options. Newport News is also the future site of one of HII’s Family Health Centers which will serve employees and their dependents.

AMSEC maintained the association’s gold status for the fourth consecutive year. To receive gold Fit-Friendly status, companies must show that they are taking steps to improve the health of their employees through nutritional changes and physical activity support. AMSEC encourages employees to increase physical activity throughout their workday by sponsoring events like the six-week Step-by-Step walking challenge. Employees can also participate in the company’s Weight Watchers program to learn about healthy eating.

Both AMSEC and Newport News participate in the association’s Heart Walk.

About Huntington Ingalls Industries

Huntington Ingalls Industries is America’s largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of engineering, manufacturing and management services to the nuclear energy, oil and gas markets. For more than a century, HII’s Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII employs approximately 38,000 people operating both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit: