Cohort analysis assessing medical and nonmedical cost associated with obesity in the workplace.
Submitted by admin on Tue, 08/21/2018 - 17:39
Author(s):
Kleinman, N., et al.
Year Published:
2014
Journal:
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Categories:
Link to Abstract Summary:
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: Quantify the impact of employee overweight and obesity on costs, absence days, and self-reported productivity. METHODS: Employees' retrospective body mass index (BMI) values (kg/m(2)) from 2003 to 2011 health appraisal data defined three cohorts: BMI < 27, 27 /= 30. Medical, pharmacy, sick leave, short-term disability, long-term disability, and workers' compensation costs and absence days, and Health Productivity Questionnaire responses were compared using regression modeling, controlling for demographics, salary, and index year. RESULTS: Among 39,696 (BMI < 27), 14,281 (27 /= 30) eligible employees, per-employee adjusted total annual costs were $4258, $4873, and $6313, respectively. Medical, pharmacy, sick leave, workers' compensation costs and days were higher for higher-BMI cohorts (P < 0.01). Employees with BMI >/= 30 kg/m(2) had the most short-term disability costs and days and least productivity (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Employees with higher BMI levels are associated with significantly more costs and absences and lower self-reported productivity.