Lost productive time associated with excess weight in the U.S. workforce.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to examine health-related lost productive time (LPT) in overweight and obese workers.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study using data from a national telephone survey of the U.S. workforce. Body mass index defined normal-weight, overweight, and obese workers. LPT in hours and dollars was compared among the three groups.


RESULTS
Obese workers (42.3%) were significantly (P<0.0001) more likely to report LPT in the previous 2 weeks than normal-weight (36.4%) or overweight workers (34.7%). Health status mediated the relation between obesity and LPT. Obese workers cost an estimated $42.29 billion in LPT, an excess of $11.70 billion compared with normal-weight workers. Presenteeism accounted for 67.8% of the cost. Comparatively, overweight workers were not a significant source of excess LPT.


CONCLUSIONS
Reducing excess weight in the workforce and improving the health of obese workers could positively impact U.S. workforce productivity.
Ricci
Judith A
JA
Caremark, Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031, USA. judi.ricci@caremark.com
Chee
Elsbeth
E
D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology