Overweight and obese people are significantly more likely than their healthy weight peers to take time off work because they are ill, a European study shows.
An overweight person is 12% more likely to need to take sick leave, and those who are obese – with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more – are much more likely to be absent for health reasons.
The research shows that people with a BMI of 30-35 are 36% more likely to lose weight, rising to 61% for a BMI of 35-40, while someone who is extremely obese (defined as a BMI of over 40 ) does. 147% more likely.
The findings have raised concerns in Britain, where around two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese, although this was not included in the new research.
Research by Frontier Economics shows this explain the annual costs for Britain of overweight people of £98 billion, as measured by healthcare costs and lost productivity.
Kat Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, said: “This research lays it bare: high rates of obesity-related disease reduce economic productivity, with devastating economic consequences. Prioritizing the country’s food-related ill health is vital for any government serious about improving wellbeing, increasing growth and ensuring the sustainability of the NHS.”
The findings are based on a survey of 122,598 people from 26 European countries, who were representative of the 147 million people who were employed. The study included Spain, Italy and Denmark, but not Britain and France, because they did not provide data for the latest European Health Survey.
The findings were produced by Siegfried Eisenberg, Dr. Thomas Czypionka and colleagues from the health economics and health policy research group at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Vienna.
They found that overweight and obese people were also more likely than people of a healthy weight to be sick at least seven days a year.
“People who are overweight and obese are more likely to be absent from work due to health problems and are more likely to have the number of days absent compared to people who have a BMI of 18.5 to 25 in all European countries. report,” the report said. report said. “Overall, overweight and obesity have a significant impact on the working population and therefore on productivity losses and increased economic burdens.”
The researchers will present their conclusions on Monday at the European Congress on Obesity in Venice.
According to the World Obesity Atlas published last year, the global cost of overweight and obesity is expected to rise from $1.96 trillion in 2020 to $4.32 trillion in 2035.
after newsletter promotion
Richard Sloggett, program director at the consultancy Future Health and a former special adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care, said tackling obesity should be a top priority for the next UK government, after years of inaction by recent governments.
“The boost to growth that the next government must deliver will not work unless it is backed by a clear and system-wide obesity strategy. “Implementing obesity policies that are isolated, much delayed and watered down will not solve the problem,” he said. “When setting priorities for the health mission within Number 10, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health, reducing obesity rates must be at the top of the list.”
Meanwhile, the TUC will say on Monday that more than 500,000 women have become economically inactive over the past five years, mainly due to delays in accessing NHS care.
A total of 1.54 million women in Britain cannot work because they are too ill to do so, a TUC analysis has found. The number of women not at work due to problems with arms, hands, legs, feet, back or neck has increased by 126,000 between 2018 and the end of 2023, while the number for cancer has increased by 15,000, and for anxiety, depression and psychological issues. due to ill health it increased by 69,000.
A government spokesperson said: “Our £2.5 billion return to work plan will help more than a million people, including women with long-term health conditions, break down the barriers to work. We are also reforming the benefits system so that it is fairer for taxpayers and ensures that those who can work, do. This includes improving support for people with health conditions and disabilities through programs like WorkWell and reforming the fit noting process so people can return to work and stay.”