The impact of obesity on work limitations and cardiovascular risk factors in the US workforce

Objective: We document the association among obesity, cardiovascular risk factors, and work limitations in the U.S. workforce. Methods: Using clinical measurements from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III and 1999-2000, we analyzed obesity rates and cardiovascular risk factor prevalence. We examined work limitations using the National Health Interview Survey 2002. Results: Obesity increased 43.8% from 1988-1994 to 1999-2000 and now affects 29.4% of workers. Obese workers have the highest prevalence of work limitations (6.9% vs. 3.0% among normal-weight workers), hypertension (35.3% vs. 8.8%), dyslipidemia (36.4% vs. 22.1%), type 2 diabetes (11.9% vs. 3.2%), and the metabolic syndrome (53.6% vs. 5.7%). We also found increased prevalence rates among those classified as overweight. Conclusions: Our study documents the association between excess body weight and health outcomes. Workplace weight and disease management programs could reduce morbidity and increase productivity.