April 24, 2007

Obesity takes economic toll on workers

A recent study conducted by Duke University found that workers' compensation claims were nearly seven times higher for obese individuals compared to the non-obese workers. A 2005 study conducted by CHP/PCOR core faculty member Jay Bhattacharya and CHP/PCOR fellow M. Kate Bundorf is cited in the piece with regards to employee compensation being lower for obese versus non-obese individuals. The Duke study found that obese workers lost an average of 183.63 days of work per 100 employees compared to non-obese workers. Bhattacharya noted that the large difference in sick days was surprising, but that there is evidence-based research that shows similar increases in medical costs resulting from sick days.

• » San Francisco Chronicle: "Study finds obesity takes an economic toll on workers, firms"