April 23, 2007 7:00 PM
- Text
Obesity Costly In Workers' Comp
- Treating Sleep Apnea in Kids Improves Behavior, Quality of Life
- Chemo May Not Harm Unborn Baby
- C-Sections Not Always Best for Small Babies
- CDC: Doctors Increasingly Prescribe Exercise
- Osteoporosis Medication Linked to Unusual Thigh Fractures
- Some Men May Inherit a Higher Risk of Heart Disease From Dad
- More from WebMD »
GENERIC Overweight man, health obesity (AP / CBS)
(WebMD)
Obesity may raise workers' compensation claims, a new study shows.
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:
Normal BMI: $7,500;
Overweight: More than $13,300;
Mildly obese: More than $19,000;
Moderately obese: More than $23,300;
Severely obese: More than $51,000 per 100 very obese workers.
"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
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
Popular Now in Health
- America's sodium problem: Not from salty snacks?
- Caffeine inhalers - the next club drug?
- Chinese mom gives birth to 15-pound baby
- Norovirus outbreak hits Rider University in N.J
- Electric shocks to brain may boost memory: Study
- STD rates rise among elderly: Why?
- Skin cancer self-exam: What to look for (PHOTOS)
- Scottish twins, 102, are world's oldest: Guinness
- Measles patient at Super Bowl prompts health alert
- Things You Didn't Know About Your Penis
- Drinking soda raises risk for asthma, COPD: Study
- America's pets also have an obesity epidemic
- PICTURES: 15 Shocking Sexual Fetishes
- Green tea linked to less disability in elderly
- Egg recall in 34 states over Listeria concerns
- Dr. Liar? Study finds dishonest docs common
- College sells morning-after pill in vending machine
Latest CBS News Headlines
on Facebook
on CBS News
- Oil below $100 amid signs of improving US economy
- Sinking
- Rep. Bachus faces insider-trading investigation
- Singapore DBS bank profit jumps 7.8 percent in 4Q
on Facebook
- Adele opens up about vocal cord surgery
- Tenn. father charged with murdering couple who"unfriended" daughter on Facebook
- Mo. teen gets life in prison for murder of 9-year-old girl
on CBS News






