[Influence of obesity on health care costs and absenteeism among employees of a mining company]

Rev Med Chil. 2009 Mar;137(3):337-44. Epub 2009 Jun 15.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Background: The health associated costs of obesity can represent between 2% and 9% of the total health costs of a given country.

Aim: To assess the impact of obesity on health care costs and absenteeism in a cohort of mine workers.

Patients and methods: Prospective study of 4.673 men, employees of a mining company, aged 49 +/- 7 years that were followed for 24 +/- 11 months. Total health care cost and days of sick leave were recordedfor each individual. The association between obesity and these variables was analyzed by logistic regression adjusting for co-morbidities, age and other variables.

Results: Mean annual health care costs for obese workers were 17% higher (p <0.001) compared to workers with normal weight and 58% higher (p <0.001) for workers with severe and morbid obesity. Mean annual days of sick leave increased by 25%o in the obese (p =0.002) and by 57%o in subjects with severe and morbid obesity (p <0.001). For health care costs the most significant predictors were: presence of diabetes mellitus (Odds ratio (OR) 6.21, 95%o confidence intervals (95% CI) 4.9 to 7.9), hypertension (OR 3-99; 95% CI3-4 to 4.6) and severe and morbid obesity (OR 2.55, 95%o CI 1.9 to 3-4). For absenteeism the most significant predictors were: presence of diabetes mellitus (OR 1.58, 95%> CI 1.2 to 2.0), hypertension (OR 1,34, 95%> CI 1.2 to 1.6) and severe and morbid obesity (OR 1.50, 95%o CI 1.1 to 2.1).

Conclusions: Obesity increases significantly health care costs and absenteeism.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Absenteeism*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Body Mass Index
  • Chile / epidemiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Comorbidity
  • Health Care Costs / statistics & numerical data*
  • Health Expenditures / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mining / statistics & numerical data*
  • Nutritional Status
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / economics*
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Obesity, Morbid / economics
  • Occupational Diseases / economics*
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Prospective Studies