Scientists have long known that companies spend more money on health care for smokers than non-smokers, but new research at Duke suggests that obese workers may cost more money for employers than individuals of a healthy weight.
The study, which sampled approximately 12,000 Duke employees, concluded that overweight individuals cost their employers up to seven times as much for health insurance, medical-related costs and workers' compensation benefits.
"Not only were overweight and obese workers submitting more claims of being hurt, but the claims that were submitted resulted in longer time off and higher expenses," said Truls
Ostbye, professor of community and family medicine and lead researcher in the study. "We found that obese people take more than 10 times as many sick days as their counterparts."
An overweight individual is defined as having a body mass index between 25 and 30, and an obese individual is classified as having a body mass index of more than 30.
The specific types of ailments that are most often reported by overweight employees are injuries of the lower extremities-the ankles, knees, hip and lower back, he said.
In addition, the study found that employees with the highest body mass index missed the greatest number of workdays and cost employers the most.
Although companies have not traditionally focused on controlling the weight of their workers, Ostbye said employers, including Duke, are taking new measures to offer programs focused on improving employee health.
Duke offers several programs to promote employee well-being and provide information on leading a healthy lifestyle.
The Department of Human Resources has implemented the "Live for Life" campaign, which provides services specifically for employees, ranging from smoking cessation to injury prevention.
One focus of the "Live for Life" program is nutrition and weight loss, which includes a 12-week online program that offers motivation to stay healthy and information on ways to safely and effectively lose weight.
In addition, the weight loss program offers brochures detailing facts about different types of fats, healthy recipes and menu planning.
Even though these programs are a step in the right direction, employers will likely begin to target overweight and obese workers even more, Ostbye said.
"These programs are very promising, and I encourage Duke and other employers to implement more of them," he said. "Until now, obesity has only been a personal problem.... But it may now become a bigger societal problem and a problem that employers should begin taking a look at."?
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