Full Citation
Title: Association between Obesity and Occupational Injury & Absenteeism among U.S. Workers
Citation Type: Miscellaneous
Publication Year: 2017
ISBN:
ISSN:
DOI:
NSFID:
PMCID:
PMID:
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Total societal costs due to occupational injury and illness in the United States have been estimated to be in excess of $50 billion per year. Previous studies of selected worker populations have noted overweight and obese workers have higher levels of occupational injury and absenteeism. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to quantify, in the broader worker population, the relative prevalence of occupational injury among overweight and obese workers. The study also aimed to analyze the association of short-term absenteeism with the obesity level of workers. METHOD: The data source was the Integrated Health Interview Series (IHIS), based on a national survey of health behaviors in the United States. The study sample included 5,045 workers aged 18-65 years, across major industry sectors, during years 2005 to 2014. Logistic regression was used to estimate association of occupational injury prevalence and short-term absenteeism with worker body mass index, controlling for selected sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: Overweight and obese workers had significantly higher prevalence of occupational injury compared with normal weight workers. Injury prevalence was 23 percent higher among overweight persons, 32 percent higher among obese persons, and 55 percent higher among very obese persons. No association was found between short-term absenteeism and worker weight. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight and obese workers are at significantly increased risk of occupational injury. Targeted actions by private and public health providers may help mitigate underlying risk factors and reduce worker occupational injury and associated costs.
Url: http://www.diva-portal.se/smash/get/diva2:1115285/FULLTEXT01.pdf
User Submitted?: No
Authors: Fors, John I
Publisher: Mid Sweden University
Data Collections: IPUMS Health Surveys - NHIS
Topics: Health, Labor Force and Occupational Structure
Countries: