How Much Does Obesity Cost Employers?

A HEAVY BURDEN How much does OBESITY cost employers? Currently, more than one-third of U.S. adults are obese. That's more than double what it was 30 years ago. And as bellies swell, so do serious risks of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other ailments. Across the nation, a staggering amount of employers are experiencing a greater loss in productivity as their employees burn through sick days recovering from illness, running to the doctor and trying to keep up with work from home. THE COST OF BEING OVERWEIGHT THE WEIGHTY ISSUE For every five-point rise in body mass index, men will experience: Women will experience: 52%1 | 24%1 59%t | 12% 1 risk of esophageal cancer risk of colon cancer risk of endometrial and gallbladder cancer risk of post-menopausal breast cancer THE GRAND TOTAL $147 billion According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, annual medical costs of obesity-related diseases total: SMOKING AND DRINKING HEALTH CARE COSTS DON'T EVEN COMPARE Health care costs attributable Similar costs caused Obesity to smoking, each year: by alcohol-related diseases: $147 BILLION $24.6 $96 I billion Smoking and Alcohol $120.6 BILLION billion 30 60 90 120 150 Billion ($) DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS Over a five-year period, the total medical costs of obesity have grown by more than 80 percent. This includes direct costs: And indirect costs: Z, Loss of future Preventive Diagnostic Treatment Absenteeism Lack of earnings due to health care services productivity premature death* *Obese individuals can potentially reduce their lifespan by three years. THE OFFICE TAKES A HIT $73.1 billion Additional amount U.S. employers must pay for obesity-related issues among full-time employees: MORE EACH YEAR EXPENSES BY THE INDIVIDUAL Among those adults who are severely obese, it costs: $15,500 $16,900 Per capita for men Per capita for women HOW TO PREVENT WORKPLACE OBESITY Sedentary desk jobs are making the average worker bee grow fatter and less healthy as time goes by. What are some ways that employees can help themselves? Go for a brisk walk or do something active every 7:00 few hours to burn more calories than you consume. Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and cut down on fatty and sugary foods. (Yes, that means practicing moderation on Donut Fridays.) Take measures to treat and reduce stress, which can encourage comfort eating - a major contributor to obesity. SOURCES: keas The Power of Play. Created By CDC.GOV I NYTIMES.COM I ABCNEWS.COM I LIVESCIENCE.COMI DUKE UNIVERSITY | AMERICAN OBESITY ASSOCIATION I COLUMN FIVE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION