Workers with above-normal body weight have increased rates of short-term disability, reports a study in the November Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).

Led by Vincent C. Arena, Ph.D., of University of Pittsburgh, the researchers analyzed data from health risk appraisals of more than 19,000 employees of a large financial services institution. The study sought to determine whether body weight was a risk factor for short-term disability, continuation for paid time off because of illness lasting more than five days, excluding pregnancy. Information on height and weight was used to calculate each subject’s body mass index (BMI), a standard measure of the relative percentages of fat and muscle mass.

Overall, 9.6 percent of employees had at least one episode of short-term disability during the three-year study period. Short-term disability rates increased from 7.3 percent for normal-weight workers (a BMI 18.5 to 24.9), to 8.8 percent for workers in the overweight category (a BMI 25 to 29.9), to 14.9 percent for those in the obese category (a BMI 30 and over).

The relationship between increased body weight and short-term disability remained significant after adjustment for other risk factors. In this adjusted analysis, overweight workers had a 26 percent increase in short-term disability rate, while obese workers had a 76 percent increase.

Nearly one-third of absences due to short-term disability were related to musculoskeletal conditions (such as arthritis or low back pain) or mental health conditions (such as depression). Both categories of illness have previously been linked to overweight and obesity.

Women had a higher rate of short-term disability than men: 11.6 versus 3.9 percent. (Nearly three-fourths of the employees in the study were women.) Rates also tended to be higher for non-exempt employees, African-American and Hispanic employees, and workers with from the staff and lower-level officer ranks.

Previous studies have linked obesity to increased health costs, increased absenteeism, and reduced productivity. As the U.S. obesity rate continues to increase, disability rates are expected to rise as well. This new study is one of the first to look at how overweight and obesity affect the risk of short-term disability, particularly in a large population of white collar workers.

Body mass index in the overweight and obese range is a true risk factor for lost work productivity related to short-term disability, the results suggest. Dr. Arena and colleagues believe that companies should consider programs designed to promote healthier body weight among their employees. They conclude, “Successful weight management initiatives should reduce short-term disability expenditures, improve worker productivity, and lessen the indirect costs associated with overweight and obesity.”

ACOEM, an international society of more than 5,000 occupational physicians and other health care professionals, provides leadership to promote optimal health and safety of workers, workplaces, and environments.