The statistics are startling.

A new study which looked at the issue of obese people in America shows that the health problem causes a large amount of work absenteeism. The researchers estimate that the United States loses out to the tune of $4.3 billion per year because of the increased amount of workers who don’t come to work related to some problem with their weight.

The statistics are startling. For example women with a body mass index of 30+ were seen to be over 60 percent more probable to miss time at work when compared to other women who had a normal BMI. Women who were morbidly obese meaning that they had a BMI of 40 plus were 118 percent more likely to fail to turn up to work. The researchers looked at all different occupations and saw that in all categories being obese was connected to higher rates of not turning up to work in women.

Interestingly however when the researchers looked at the link between men not turning up to work and obesity they saw that the connection varied depending on the occupation of the man.  Managers and men working in offices did not suffer from any statistically significant variations in absenteeism with obesity unless their BMI was 40 plus, however men working in sales and in a professional capacity were seen to be more likely not to turn up at work if they were obese. The researchers concluded that females contributed to around to ¾ of the complete obesity related costs with regard to absenteeism in America.

This research which was led by Professor John Cawley based at Cornell University and the National Bureau of Economic Research in New York State recently appeared in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. It is thought to be the most far reaching study into the problem of obesity and the cost to the state and businesses from the condition.

Employers are becoming increasingly aware that by taking on obese people they may end up having less efficient employees and this could impact on their profits. At Ukmedix News we have seen other research which shows that a healthy workforce is likely to be more productive. Many companies are realising that by setting up gyms at the workplace and encouraging their staff to get fit and healthy may boost productivity.