Overweight people are more likely to take sick days
A new study has found that obese people are more likely to take sick days. Researchers have warned that the economic impact of obesity is «massive» and called on policymakers to «take stronger action.»
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According to a European study, obese people are more likely to take sick leave than people of normal weight.< /p>
The study also found that obese people are more likely to stay out of work longer, Sky News reports.
Scientists from the research group on health economics and health policy at the Institute for Advanced Study in Vienna said the economic consequences of obesity are «enormous» and called on policymakers to «take stronger action.»
The study included data from 26 countries, most of which were collected in 2019. The UK and France did not provide data for the survey, as did Ireland, Malta and Iceland.
The main analysis included approximately 122,598 responses, which were weighted to represent approximately 147 million people employed in 26 countries.
Participants were classified based on body mass index (BMI), with the number absenteeism was compared with those whose weight was considered normal.
Researchers found that people with a body mass index of 25 to 30 who were classified as overweight were 12% more likely to be absent from work illness.
People with obesity and a BMI of 30 to 35 were 36% more likely to be absent from work, while people with a BMI of 35 to 40 were 61% more likely to take sick leave.
Participants those with the most obesity — those with a BMI over 40 — were 147% more likely to leave work due to illness.
But in some countries the consequences were different: in Denmark, for example, overweight people were 30% more likely to get sick. higher than in people with normal weight.
Study leader Dr Thomas Chiponka said: “The health and economic consequences of obesity are enormous. Given the current trend in many countries regarding the rise in obesity and the prevalence of childhood obesity, policymakers need to take greater action to combat obesity using all evidence-based interventions available. «.
Researchers found that people with a higher BMI are also more likely to get sick outside of work hours.
Based on 41,469 responses from people who quit work, representing 54 million workers, People with a body mass index between 30 and 35 were 38% more likely to be unemployed for more than a week.
The odds were higher for those with a BMI between 35 and 40 and those over 40, 52% and 121% accordingly.
Siegfried Eisenberg, who also worked on the study, said: “The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity will lead to an increase in absence from work due to health problems in European countries, which will have a negative impact on productivity and economics.»