Obesity in the workplace: What role should your employer be playing?

Obesity in the workplace: What role should your employer be playing?

We’re constantly bombarded with info telling us being overweight is dangerous. But what should your employer be doing to encourage healthy living?

Frost says reducing obesity should be an important goal for employers. The economic impact of obesity in the workplace includes:

• High rates of absenteeism among obese and morbidly obesity employees.
• Preventable chronic disease associated with obesity, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, cancer and respiratory disease affects the cost of treatment and medical insurance.
• Obesity is associated with “presenteeism” – this results in lower energy and productivity in the workplace.