Is obesity costing the Australian workforce?

The obesity epidemic began to appear in the 90’s and has since caused ever increasing costs to health services. A National Health Survey found that the number of Australians considered obese reached nearly 2.5 million in 2004-05. Many studies have found that this health issue is increasing the costs to the Australian workforce, due both to the poor health and physical limitations of obese individuals, and to the discrimination and prejudice that they face.

Recent research has found a relationship between body weight and an individual’s level of education and occupation. As these levels decreased, an individual was more likely to be obese.

It was previously thought that unemployment was related to higher rates of obesity. Recent studies, however, showed that there was no difference in obesity rates between the employed and unemployed.

Investigation into the profession of an individual found that employment in a lower status job resulted in higher levels of obesity than employment in managerial, administrative, clerical or professional positions.

Absenteeism is a habitual absence from work. It is a significant issue in the workplace. Obesity was associated with an increase in lost days of work. Obese employees took more time off for illness, had lower levels of health, were less likely to be working, and were less likely to work fulltime compared to employees who were not obese. These individuals were also more likely to have physical limitations and disabilities due to their weight. It was suggested that work limitations may prevent them from working, and that poor health may change individuals’ perception of work and leisure, leading to a higher value being given to leisure time.

Certain working conditions were found to affect body weight and physical health. In women, these were linked to work environments with decreasing job control and increasing work load. For men, high job demands, heavy physical work and low job control were the key. These employment conditions are worsening the rate of obesity and, in turn, increasing obesity related costs.

Social factors play an important role and can be used to help explain the higher levels of absenteeism amongst obese individuals. A significant number of investigations have found hiring prejudice towards obese people. These individuals were more likely to receive negative judgements and lower job recommendations from employers. This issue affected women more than men.

The position applied for was also very significant. Obese employees were found to earn less than non-obese employees. It was more likely for obese women to hold a low-paying job. Men applied more for jobs that were less likely to give them lower wages, such as transportation. These studies also found that an obese person had lower chances of promotion.

These findings show just how seriously the Australian workplace is being affected by obesity. This issue is severely costing both employees and employers, and it is important that it be addressed. With the obesity epidemic still on the rise, these problems will only worsen.