A Multi-Worksite Analysis of the Relationships Among Body Mass Index, Medical Utilization, and Worker Productivity

Abstract

Background The relationships between worker health and productivity are becoming clearer. However, few large scale studies have measured the direct and indirect cost burden of overweight and obesity among employees using actual biometric values. Objective To quantify the direct medical and indirect (absence and productivity) cost burden of overweight and obesity in workers. Subjects A cross-sectional study of 10,026 employees in multiple professions and worksites across the U.S. Measures The main outcomes were five self-reported measures of workers’ annual healthcare use and productivity: doctor visits, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, absenteeism (days absent from work), and presenteeism (percent on-the-job productivity losses). Multivariate count and continuous data models (Poisson, negative binomial and zero-inflated Poisson) were estimated. Results After adjusting for covariates, obese employees had 20% higher doctor visits than normal weight employees (CI 16%, 24%, p < 0.01) and 26% higher emergency room visits (CI 11%, 42%, p < 0.01). Rates of doctor and emergency room visits for overweight employees were no different than those of normal weight employees. Compared to normal weight employees, presenteeism rates were 10% and 12% higher for overweight and obese employees, respectively (CI 5%, 15% and 5%, 19%, all p < 0.01). Taken together, compared to normal weight employees, obese and overweight workers were estimated to cost employers $644 and $201 more per employee per year, respectively. Conclusions This study provides evidence that employers face a financial burden imposed by obesity. Implementation of effective workplace programs for the prevention and management of excess weight will benefit employers and their workers.

Excesso de peso e fatores associados em adolescentes

“…Estudos nacionais e internacionais apontaram elevada prevalência de excesso de peso em adolescentes, com tendência de crescimento 2,[5][6][7] . Os últimos levantamentos nacionais sobre excesso de peso em adolescentes indicaram que, em 30 anos, essa prevalência praticamente quadriplicou 8 .…”

“…Os últimos levantamentos nacionais sobre excesso de peso em adolescentes indicaram que, em 30 anos, essa prevalência praticamente quadriplicou 8 . Esses resultados são similares aos que têm sido descritos em estudos com adolescentes de diversos países 6,7 .…”

Fitness of the US Workforce

“…Pronk and colleagues (97) reported an overall obesity rate during 1995-1997 among 8,822 employees from 298 different companies in the Upper Midwest of 18.8% and, in 2002, a 26.5% obesity rate among employees from Colorado, Minnesota, Texas, and Washington (96). Goetzel and associates (44) pooled data collected between 2005 and 2007 from 4 research centers and reported a 39.4% obesity prevalence among more than 10,000 employees. Reporting on a random sample of employees from 8 companies in Kentucky in 2008, Gates and coworkers measured an obesity rate of 35.8% (41).…”

Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in obese patients candidates for bariatric surgery and its impact on health related quality of life

“…Some of these symptoms manifest as joint discomfort caused mainly by excess weight, which can overload the musculoskeletal structures responsible for stabilizing and moving the body (6). Obesity has been associated with significant impairment in mobility (7) and several musculoskeletal disorders, which can lead to disability and poor quality of life (5,6) and result in high direct and indirect healthcare economic costs (8,9).…”