from Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Obesity costs money. A previous study
estimated the cost of treating obesity‐related
illness would increase by sixty‐six billion
dollars by the year 2030 if the trend in obesity
in this country continues. A study conducted
at Columbia University’s Mailman School of
Public Health shows consequences of obesity
among workers go beyond healthcare.
Absence from work attributable to obesity
cost this country more than eight billion
dollars a year. That was calculated by using a
national database on missed workdays for
health reasons, then analyzing body mass
index statistics by state. They say obesity
absences account for more than nine percent
of all absenteeism costs. The authors wrote in
in the Journal of Occupational and
Environmental Medicine that obesity,
especially severe obesity, is a threat to a
competitive, healthy workforce.