Association Between Weight Reduction and Employees' Healthcare Cost

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Health Economics
• Public Health

Background:

• Rising healthcare expenditures pose a significant challenge for employers.
• Employee wellness programs, particularly those targeting weight management, are increasingly implemented to mitigate these costs.
• Understanding the direct financial impact of significant body mass index (BMI) reduction is crucial for evaluating program effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a body mass index (BMI) reduction of 15% or more on employee health expenditures.
• To quantify the medical cost savings associated with significant weight loss in a corporate setting.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of health risk assessment surveys and insurance claims data from 2014-2019.
• Comparison of healthcare costs between employees with baseline BMI > 30 who achieved ≥15% BMI reduction versus those with ≤5% BMI reduction.
• Matching of cohorts based on demographics and baseline costs to ensure comparability.

Main Results:

• The study cohort (n=197) achieved an average BMI reduction of 23%.
• The study cohort experienced a 33% reduction in group health insurance payments after one year, compared to a 10% reduction in the control group.
• These findings were observed in a cohort with an average age of 44 years, predominantly female (80%).

Conclusions:

• A body mass index (BMI) reduction of 15% or more is strongly associated with significant medical cost savings for employers.
• Implementing and promoting effective weight management strategies can lead to substantial reductions in employee healthcare expenditures.