Cohort analysis assessing medical and nonmedical cost associated with obesity in the workplace.
OBJECTIVE
Quantify the impact of employee overweight and obesity on costs, absence days, and self-reported productivity.


METHODS
Employees' retrospective body mass index (BMI) values (kg/m(2)) from 2003 to 2011 health appraisal data defined three cohorts: BMI < 27, 27 ≤ BMI < 30, BMI ≥ 30. Medical, pharmacy, sick leave, short-term disability, long-term disability, and workers' compensation costs and absence days, and Health Productivity Questionnaire responses were compared using regression modeling, controlling for demographics, salary, and index year.


RESULTS
Among 39,696 (BMI < 27), 14,281 (27 ≤ BMI < 30), and 18,801 (BMI ≥ 30) eligible employees, per-employee adjusted total annual costs were $4258, $4873, and $6313, respectively. Medical, pharmacy, sick leave, workers' compensation costs and days were higher for higher-BMI cohorts (P < 0.01). Employees with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) had the most short-term disability costs and days and least productivity (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Employees with higher BMI levels are associated with significantly more costs and absences and lower self-reported productivity.
From the Human Capital Management Services Group (Dr Kleinman and Ms Andersen), Cheyenne, Wyo; and Eisai Inc (Drs Abouzaid, Wang, and Powers), Woodcliff Lake, NJ.
Nathan
N
Kleinman
Safiya
S
Abouzaid
Lenae
L
Andersen
Zhixiao
Z
Wang
Annette
A
Powers
D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000191:economics*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult