Influences of Obesity on Job Demands and Worker Capacity

Evidence suggests that the growing prevalence of obesity in the workforce has resulted in an increase in the incidence and cost of musculoskeletal injuries. Obesity can modify job demands and affect worker capacity in terms of anthropometry and occupational biomechanics, which may place workers at greater risk of injury. This paper presents a review of studies quantifying the work-relevant impacts of obesity, specifically related to work task demands, capacities, and their potential imbalance. The increased body fat that accompanies obesity leads to larger anthropometric dimensions and inertial parameters, particularly in the trunk and thigh areas. Consequently, individuals who are obese adjust their work postures and motions as an accommodation. These changes may affect the biomechanical demands on the joints and increase the burden on the musculoskeletal system. Independent of job demands, obesity-related differences also occur with respect to strength, fatigue, and task performance. Directions for future research are provided, focusing on the need for workplace redesign to account for changing workforce demographics.