bioworld - Medical Device Daily

Is Obesity an Epidemic in the U.S.?
% Yes
Total 85
White 85
African-American 85
Hispanic 85
Men 81
Women 89
Ages 18-29 89
Ages 30-39 84
Ages 40-49 86
Ages 50-64 84
Ages 65+ 85
High school or less 81
Some college/post high school 89
College graduate 85
Less than $30,000/yr household 84
$30,000-$50,000/yr household 88
$50,000-$75,000/yr household 87
More than $75,000/yr household 86
Democrat 87
Independent 85
Republican 84
Northeast 86
Central 84
South 84
West 87
Source: Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Higher Health Care Costs for Businesses
On average, obese workers have up to 21 percent higher health care costs compared to normal weight employees. It is estimated
that in 1994, obesity cost U.S. businesses $12.7 billion, of which physical inactivity accounted for $7.7 billion.
In 2000 alone, physically inactive members cost Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (BCBSMN) a total of $83.6 million (or
$56 for every member) per year. In addition, “almost one third (31 percent) of costs related to heart disease, stroke, colon cancer,
and osteoporosis” in the BCBSMN population were attributable to physical inactivity.
Higher health care costs for obese and sedentary workers signal poorer overall health among these individuals. And given poorer
health, lower worker productivity and increased absenteeism are more likely among obese and physically inactive employees.
Lower Worker Productivity and Increased Absenteeism
Researchers found that obese workers had 183.63 lost workdays per 100 full time employees, compared to normal weight workers
who had 14.19 lost workdays per 100 full time employees.
A 2004 study concluded that excessive weight and physical inactivity negatively impact the quality of work performed, the quantity
of work performed and overall job performance among obese, sedentary individuals.
Higher Workers’ Compensation Claims
A number of studies have shown obese workers have higher workers’ compensation claims.
A 2007 study found that excessive weight gain among employees is related to higher amounts of workers’ compensation claims.
Obese workers had on average 11.65 claims per 100 full time employees, compared to normal weight employees who had 5.80
claims per 100 full time employees.
The cost of claims for obese employee workers’ compensation claims were also significantly higher. Obese employees had
$51,091 in medical claims costs per 100 full time employees, compared to only $7,503 in medical claims costs for normal weight
workers. And obese workers had $59,178 in indemnity claims costs per 100 full time employees, compared to only $5,396 in
indemnity claims costs for normal weight employees.
Source: Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
THE BIOWORLD AND MEDICAL DEVICE DAILY OBESITY REPORT 115