Claims for conditions in which obesity either is a risk factor or is strongly associated have shown a striking increase in the past decade, according to a UnumProvident report.

“The increase in the incidence of disability claims for conditions related to obesity is alarming, and illustrates the potential scope, in terms of burden of suffering and the increase in health-care costs, attributable to the obesity epidemic,” said Robert Anfield, the company's vice president and medical director. “It is clear that health and disability consequences of obesity are extensive and present daunting challenges.”

As a result of chronic health conditions triggered by obesity, syndromes that are primarily symptom-based, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, or Gulf War syndrome, have increased 40 times. The rates of hypertension and diabetes have doubled, while musculoskeletal disorders have increased by 78 percent and back disorders have increased by 46 percent. In addition, cancer and cardiovascular disease rates have shown 63 percent and 17 percent rises, respectively.

The National Business Group on Health has warned that increasing obesity and related issues hurt the well being of the workforce and threaten the financial health of employers. Nationwide, obesity will cost employers $13 billion per year, reported the NBGH. Annually, obesity is associated with 39 million lost work days, 239 million restricted-activity days, and 63 million physician visits.

“Today's employers must absorb increasing health-care costs,” said Anfield. “According to the National Institutes of Health, the direct health-care costs attributable to overweight and obesity are now estimated to be $123 billion, or 9 percent of total U.S. health-care costs. The cost of treating type 2 diabetes attributable to overweight and obesity is estimated to be $98 billion. The cost of treating heart disease attributable to overweight and obesity is estimated to be $8.8 billion, or 17 percent of the total health-care costs for heart disease.”

The new data builds on an earlier study which showed a tenfold increase in short term disability claims in which obesity was identified as the primary diagnosis. UnumProvident advocates a number of practices for employers to consider in helping to combat obesity. These include providing healthy lunch and snack options, offering weight control classes and nutrition programs, encouraging activity by promoting use of the stairs, subsidizing fitness programs or providing on-site fitness facilities, and offering incentives.

Special Reports /

Weight Gains Provoke Disability Claim Hikes

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