Employers can play important role in addressing high cost of workplace obesity
As overweight and obesity rates surge worldwide, employers are positioned to address the chronic medical conditions on multiple fronts.
Obesity takes a significant toll in the workplace, not only on employee health but also on productivity and absenteeism.
“Overweight and obesity, which require a comprehensive approach, are top health concerns for employers around the world,” said Ellen Kelsay, president and CEO of Business Group on Health. “Employers play a major part in offering quality health care, understanding obesity’s inextricable link to mental health, lessening the stigma surrounding it and addressing some of the social determinants of health.”
Related: 7 states where the obesity rate is 35 percent or higher
By 2025, one in five adults worldwide will be affected by obesity, according to the organization’s new report, “The Global Landscape for Overweight and Obesity: A Guide for Employers.” As overweight and obesity rates surge worldwide, large employers are positioned to address the chronic medical conditions on multiple fronts, the report said.
The World Health Organization defines obesity as “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health” and uses body mass index as a data point, although it is not a perfect measure. Generally, overweight exists with a BMI greater than or equal to 25, while obesity has a BMI greater than or equal to 30.
In addition, obesity, which has a direct correlation with other chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and certain types of cancer, also takes an economic toll on employers. The condition boosts the demand for additional extensive and costly health services, while increasing employee presenteeism (working while not well) and absenteeism. Moreover, it took a global pandemic to “put obesity on the map,” said Olivia Barata Cavalcanti, Ph.D., director of science and programs for the World Obesity Federation.
“A lot of countries are waking up to the urgency of obesity,” she said. “COVID has really bridged the gap between the short-term emergency of infectious disease and the long-term timeline of non-infectious diseases.”
Obesity is both a risk factor and a disease that requires a multi-stakeholder approach that is culturally appropriate for different global regions, Barata Cavalcanti said. This approach could include governments providing affordable paths to obesity treatments and regulating ultra-processed foods, and employers ensuring that all workers have access to healthier workplaces and mental health services.
The guide also underscores the need for employers to communicate specifically and holistically the availability of any well-being programs, policies and supplemental company health plans, in addition to any relevant government programs.
Business Group on Health has made other materials about overweight and obesity available, including an infographic showing the percentage of large employers around the globe offering programs to manage the conditions. More information is available at www.businessgrouphealth.org.
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