April 23, 2007
Obesity Costly In Workers' Comp
Work-Based Programs For Healthy Eating And Physical Activity May Help Companies, Experts Say
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(AP / CBS)
The study included more than 11,700 Duke University workers who had at least one medical checkup from 1997-2004.
During the study, participants filed a total of 2,539 workers' compensation claims topping $5 million in medical claims and another $5 million in indemnity claims. Workers' comp claims were more common and costlier for obese employees, judging by BMI data from the patients' medical records. BMI, or body mass index, is a measure that relates height to weight.
The researchers, who work in the community and family medicine department of Duke University Medical Center, included Truls Ostbye, M.D., Ph.D.
They checked the workers' medical records and found that 2 percent were underweight, 42 percent were normal weight, 30 percent were overweight but not obese, 21 percent were mildly or moderately obese, and 5 percent were severely obese.
Workers' comp claims rose with workers' BMI, the study shows.
For instance, nearly six workers' comp claims were filed per 100 workers of normal BMI, compared with more than 11 claims filed per 100 of the heaviest workers.
Medical claims costs per 100 workers were as follows:
"The number of lost workdays was almost 13 times higher, medical costs were seven times higher, and indemnity claims costs were 11 times higher among the heaviest employees compared with those of recommended weight," write the researchers.
Obesity was particularly linked to workers' comp claims for falls, slips, lifting, exertion, back pain, and injuries to the hand, wrist, knee, hip, or ankle. Physically demanding jobs carried the highest risk.
Companies may help their bottom line by promoting healthy lifestyles for their workers, the study suggests.
"It is increasingly common for employers to support healthy lifestyle interventions such as healthy cafeteria food, on-site fitness facilities, and encouragement of physical activity during work breaks," write the researchers.
"Our study lends support to the notion that such programs may not only improve the health of employees but also be financially beneficial," they add.
Ostbye and colleagues say workplace-based programs on healthy eating and physical activity should be developed and evaluated as an addition to other workplace safety strategies.
The study appears in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
By Miranda Hitti
Reviewed by Louise Chang, M.D.
© 2007, WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.
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- Genetics CAN be a small contributing factor, but I'm sorry, the truth is too many calories, not enough exercise, and WAAAAAAAYY too many excuses. Pretty simple.
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- There was a good documentary on PBS recently about fat. I don't have the world's greatest memory, but I seem to recall that there are a variety of reasons why a person might become obese, ranging from genetic, to psychological, to the stereotypical "lazy" person who just doesn't take good care of themself. Not every obese person is capable of controlling their weight as easily as the next, or as easily as a "low-fat" person. No excuse not to exercise and try to eat healthier though, even if you don't lose any weight doing so.
I hope the CBS opinion columnist who wrote the retarded piece about how banning transfats in public restaurants will lead to a rebellion reads the above article. - Reply to this comment
- Boy, am I fortunate to not blame ALL obesity on eating habits. I understand there are a very small number of people who have some sort of medical condition leading to obesity. These aren't the people you see in restaurants, stuffing themselves to the brink of regurgitation. These aren't the people you see driving in their cars, force feeding sodas, hamburgeres, chips and candy down their gullets. The majority, however, are people who won't control themselves and could care less. Could that be you SASI1? Jumping to a personal attack on this subject makes me wonder if the SASI1 isn't a little hypersensitive about the weight issue.
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- There are many reasons for obesity. Not all cases are caused by overeating. Genetics play a large part in obesity, and an underactive metabolism is also a cause. Don't automatically blame obesity on the person's eating habits. When one does that it merely shows one's stupidity.
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- Obesity, a disease or just another self-indulgent, undisciplined lifestyle? Fat makes me sick! The fat people I am familar with, are never just ready to go out for dinner, they always claim to be "starving". They order huge meals, with appetizers, drinks and always a dessert. Then they sit back in the chair, moan, and say "I,m so full". This goes on every day of their life and they say things like, "Well, you only live once. Why shouldn't I eat what I like?" Meanwhile, they can't stand up straight and they waddle around with a duck-like walk always complaining about how they are hot all the time and their clothes don't fit. Now, as they get a little older, they are beseiged with medical problems directly realted to their eating. Bad hips, bad knees, digestive disorders, posture isssues, diabetes, and on and on. There is nothing more repulsive than an overweight human that eats like a pig. There should be very limited medical benefits for these fat people. This is a self-inflicted condition and the rest of the society shouldn't have to pay the freight for their aberrant grazing. The sad part, is that fat parents raise fat kids, and the cycle continues. Well, it probably has something to do with genetics, and hopefully they will eventually breed their way to extinction.
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- Obesity is not a small problem,it is a huge problem,its an epadimic.Is causes many different problems in the human body,amd is a cause of many deaths.The only people who says OBESITY is a SMALL problem must be obese themselves.It is a MAJOR issue that 2/3 of the U.S. is over eating.
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- I think the media needs to start addressing more encompassing problems. Not these small problems, most of which are quiet symptoms of bigger ones, while pretending the bigger ones don't exist. Of course, do they exist?
Posted by hypnotoad72 at 08:13 PM : Apr 23, 2007
I do not agree, since 2/3 of this country is eating itself to death, that this is not a major issue. - Reply to this comment
- I just started an exercise routine. I'm still debating WHY given the offshoring problem, but there is a valid point in that we'd all be better off making ourselves healthier.
Of course, you can bet your sweet bippy no insurance company would consider anybody even after 'turning over a new leaf', becoming a 'born again exerciser', or much anything else...
Not to mention the time factor. I'm grateful I've got the time TO exercise and get myself into proper condition; and it's felt good so far. Not everybody is so lucky. Many people have to work TWO jobs just to make ends meet. And yet the worst types of food cost lower than the good ones. Here's an idea - swap the costs of romaine lettuce with that of a package of sugar-laden candy bars.
I think the media needs to start addressing more encompassing problems. Not these small problems, most of which are quiet symptoms of bigger ones, while pretending the bigger ones don't exist. Of course, do they exist? - Reply to this comment
