Health Statistics Related to Overweight and Obesity

Incidence
 -  66% of the U.S. Population is Overweight
 -  Approximately 1/3 of Americans are Obese
    (Body Mass Index > 30)

Employer Costs Related to Obesity
 -  Direct Medical Costs: Obese adults (BMI: 30–40) spend between $1071 and  $1549
    more in medical expenses per year1 as compared to normal weight adults
 -  27% of the Health Spending growth between 1987–2001 was attributed to obesity2
 -  Health spending is 36% higher for obese adults aged 18–656
 -  Obesity contributes to 9% of our national medical bill3
 -  Excess weight causes increased risk for diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease
    and cancer

Indirect Employer Costs of Obesity
 -  Increases worker’s compensation claims and related lost workdays4
 -  Increased absenteeism (average is 3 days per year, obese men average 5 days per
    year, obese women average 8 days per year)1
 -  Increases disability for those aged 50–695

References:
1. Finkelstein, E.A., I.C. Fiebelkorn, and G. Wang. 2005. The Costs of Obesity among Full-Time Employees. American Journal of Health Promotion 20(1):45–51.
2. Thorpe, K.E., C.S. Florence, D.H. Howard, and P. Joski. 2004. Trends: The Impact of Obesity on Rising Medical Spending. Health Affairs Web ExclusiveW4:480–86.
3. Sturm, R. 2002. The Effects of Obesity, Smoking, and Drinking onMedical Problems and Costs. Health Affairs 21(2):245–53.
4. Osbye, T., J.M. Dement, and K.M. Krause. 2007. Results from the Duke Health and Safety System. Archives of Internal Medicine 167(8):766–73.
5. Sturm, R., J.S. Ringel, and T. Andreyeva. 2004. Increasing Obesity Rates and Disability Trends. Health Affairs 23(2):199–205.
6. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov