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Relative weight and sickness absence
Mikko Laaksonen1, Kustaa Piha, Sirpa Sarlio-Lähteenkorva
1Department of Public Health, PO Box 41, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FIN-00014, Finland. mikko.t.laaksonen@helsinki.fi
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|February 15, 2007
Summary
Obesity significantly increases sickness absence periods for both men and women. This risk is partly explained by obesity-related health issues and general health status, highlighting the importance of weight management for occupational functioning.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- High relative weight is a growing public health concern.
- Understanding its impact on work-related health is crucial for employee well-being and productivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between high relative weight and future sickness absence.
- To determine the extent to which obesity-related disorders, general health, and working conditions explain this association.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving 6838 employees (5386 female, 1452 male) from Helsinki.
- Survey data from 2000-2002 were linked to sickness absence records up to 2004 (mean follow-up 2.9 years).
Main Results:
- Higher relative weight was clearly associated with increased short (1-3 days) and long (>3 days) sickness absence periods.
- Obesity-related disorders (arthrosis, gout, metabolic disease) and poorer general health explained a significant portion of the excess risk.
- Working conditions had minimal impact on the association between body mass index (BMI) and sickness absence.
Conclusions:
- Obesity is a significant risk factor for both short and long sickness absence periods.
- General health status and specific obesity-related conditions partially mediate this increased risk.
- Promoting healthy weight is vital for maintaining occupational functioning and reducing sickness absence costs.
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