Obesity and Disease in the Workplace

The rising prevalence of obesity, cardio-metabolic disease and related disorders in developed countries worldwide has demonstrated significant negative impacts in social, economic, and health care sectors. Experts site the high costs of disease related treatment and loss of workplace productivity as relevant factors affecting America's economy. There are currently more overweight than underweight adults worldwide for the first time in history and excess weight and physical inactivity are considered the primary root of the problem. According to new research from the American University in Washington, D.C. in addition to the energy imbalance, the obesity epidemic is largely due to growing insecurity, stress, and sense of powerlessness in societies where high calorie, high-sugar, and high-fat foods are readily available. Coauthor of the study Jon Wiseman states, “When I began to look into the issue of obesity, I realized that the most overweight are the least privileged members of society. And amongst those, it tended to be minorities. And amongst minorities it tended to be women. It was those people who possessed the least control over their lives, and thus suffer the greatest insecurity and stress.” Most studies that examine obesity from an epidemiological perspective explain that the epidemic is related to two major causes referred to as the “Big Two”.

• Excess caloric intake that has been prompted by economic progress and technological dynamics that have increased average incomes and lowered the price of food
• Reduced caloric expenditure that has also been prompted by economic progress and technological dynamics that reduce the need to perform physical labor and the energy needed to move or transport the body in all situations (e.g. computers, automation)

Authors of the American University study think that an additional component to consider in the increased prevalence of obesity is stress and a sense of powerlessness. This theory is based on the fact that the percentage of Americans that are obese has doubled since 1980; being a time period in modern society where economical, social and healthcare issues coinciding with increased levels of unemployment and under employment have led to inflated insecurity. Chronic psychological stress causes weight gain through hormonal effects such as that as seen with cortisol which promotes an individual’s appetite as well as the ecchanoid system which is believed to create cravings for pleasure from high-fat and high-sugar foods. Basically being in a constant state of what is referred to as the “fight or flight response” invariably leads to increased fat storage. The authors point out that obesity was stable between 1960 to 1980 when levels of unemployment were relatively low and a number of social programs aided in reducing insecurity and overall stress (e.g. Medicare, Medicaid, welfare programs, labor protection programs, ect.). A recognized counterpoint to this arguments lends itself to convenient eating, changes in food manufacturing, decreases is social-related physical activity and lower levels of technology which underscores the multifaceted nature of obesity.

Due to the social and economic impact organizations have been taking a closer look into the negative repercussions of elevated stress and the prevalence of obesity and metabolic and/or cardiovascular disease on workplace productivity. Much of the current research and “cost-analysis calculations” that have been developed by institutions whom provide statistical data on disease prevention such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) have closely examined the differences in total cost between healthy employees and their diseased or obese counterparts. Research and awareness programs certainly point out that there are clearly prejudices against overweight or obese employees as employers commonly state that they view them as a less productive and relatively expensive (related to healthcare costs) investments. This potetially is perpetuating the findings from American University cited previouly.

• Research in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine reports that employees who have had a heart attack or have other types of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (varying cardiovascular ailments that affect cardiac or vascular structure functions) are a major source of direct and indirect health costs. The lead researcher states, “Acute coronary syndrome is more costly to employers and payers than other health conditions that are common among employed persons.” The study results confirmed that high direct costs of medical care for workers with ACS are $40,000 higher on average than for other workers. The indirect yearly costs for ACS sufferers were estimated to be $1,000 higher than other workers mainly attributed to costs of short-term disability and absence from work.
• According to research from Duke National University in Singapore, obese employees cost employers 73.1 billion annually due to presenteeism (lowered productivity while at work).
• Research at King’s College in London revealed that obese employees take at least four more sick days per year that their normal-weight counterparts. This number doubles for those who are considered morbidly obese.
• The insurance firm Lynch Ryan suggests that obese employees place three times as many workman’s compensation claims when compared to their normal weight counterparts and those claims are for higher dollar amounts attributed to slower recovery.
• Research in the American Journal of Health Promotion reports that the price of obesity costs employers $285,000 a year per 1000 employees. Roughly 30% of the cost comes from increased absences amongst the heaviest employees.
• In Japan companies already use BMI as an evaluation tool for employments and dismissal.
• The CDC “Lean Works” obesity prevention program has an actual Obesity and Risk of Investment Calculator that employers can use to use to examine prospective costs associated with hiring obese employees.