Only 1 in 7 U.S. workers are normal weight without chronic health problems, according to Gallup poll data, and that could cost the economy more than $ 153 billion per year in lost productivity from increased sick.
Gallup polled over 100,000 full-time workers, and found that two-thirds of the workforce either overweight or obese and almost half are both overweight and have at least one chronic health problem. The numbers on the obesity calculated using self reported height and weight, which means that the numbers could be higher. Research has shown that people tend to underestimate their weight and overestimate their height.
Workers who are overweight or obese are more likely to lose their jobs than normal weight, but chronic health problems factors are much greater. Even among people of normal weight, chronic conditions, such as nearly 60% of workers reported health problems. Chronic health problems, including having ever been diagnosed with a heart attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer, diabetes, asthma, or depression; and repetitive physical pain in the neck or back or knee or foot in the last 12 months.
Gallup estimate that 450 million working days a year to lose weight and other health problems, and resulted in the estimated cost of 153 billion in lost productivity.