WellnessCost Savings Associated with Obesity

Overview

Why it’s a problem Trends Costs

What can be done Controlling health care costs Discrimination

Obesity

Defined as BMI >30 Causes increased risk factors for:

Cardio vascular diseasesHypertension High Blood PressureHigh Colesterol

Diabetes and complicationsCancerRespiratory Problems

Can add 20 years

Trends

1/3 of the US adult population is obese

1976: 15% of population, now 34%

At least 15% of adults in every state

Measures of BMI

Costs

Boden institute of Obesity Nutrition and Exercise estimates direct medical costs of obesity to be $21 billion

Employers suffer up to 45% of burden

Increase in Health Care Costs

Controlling Costs

Many companies using financial incentives cash bonuses paid vacation days health insurance rebates

Time to exercise at work Recommended: a combination of physical

activity and improved nutrition Though reasons not to:

High job mobility rates Earlier success and onset of obesity-related

health problems

Effects

Those that have see…Decreased absenteeismIncreased productivity

Best practice employers: Safeway Cleveland Clinic Aetna Sprint

Discrimination

American Obesity Association Binge eating proposed as Psycological

disorder Gastric by-pass rulings Virginia Case Best Practices:

No “perceived” disability Internal courtesy policies ADA & local law training

Bibliography

The Conference Board Rosen, B. & Barrington, L. (2008). Weights and measures: What employers should know about obesity. [Electronic

Version] Finkelstein, E & Kosa, K. (2003). Use of incentives to motivate healthy behaviors among employees. Gender Issues,

21(3), 50-59.

ABI/Inform (Proquest) Williams, R. (2009). Best practices in managing obesity. Benefits and Compensation Digest. [Electronic

Version].

Lexis Cardiovascular disease risk factors. (2010, May). Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, 1809. Morbid obesity may be basis for claim under ADA. VIRGINIA EMPLOYMENT LAW LETTER, JANUARY, 1998, Volume 9,

Issue 12, 582 words, Williams, Mullen, Christian & Dobbins, by David C. Burton

Other sources Discrimination. (2002). Retrieved April 24, 2010 from the American Obesity Association website. Finkelstein, E & Zuckerman, L. The fattening of America; how the economy makes us fat, if it matters, and….