Mireya Ahumada

4/13/2018
Article summary

The Effect of Weight Loss on Health, Productivity and Medical Expenditures

Among Overweight Employees.

Introduction

Obesity affects numerous parts of the world. With the Unites States having a plague of

obesity rates that keep rising. With over 28.5%, or a Body Mass Index(BMI) greater than 30 of

full time employees in the US.. With the 38% of the total full time employee population being

overweight.

There can be many health risks and economic costs related to this. Having a Lower

Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) can result in chronic diseases with an ending in high

costs. These are only some of the consequences of being clinically obese.

With this, it can be expected that employees would have a challenging times showing

consistency being at work and having more days of showing up to work sick. There are various

methods and procedures that can be utilized to minimize this. Some of which will be analyzed in

the following studies.

Finkelstein and Colleagues wanted to conduct a study to compare the changes in medical

expenditures and absenteeism among overweight full time employees at North Carolina

community colleges and universities. The hypothesis gathered goes as follows: those who lost

5% or more weight- a weight loss level that has been shown to yield clinical health benefits-

regardless of which arm of the study they were in, would have lower medical expenses and less

absenteeism upon study conclusion than those who gained weight or lost less than 5% of

baseline weight. Null hypothesis could not be rejected. Study will include 935 employees from

community colleges and 933 employees from 12 universities all from North Carolina.

Methods(Study Design)
 Mireya Ahumada
4/13/2018
Article summary

First source of data. Total of 935 employees being overweight and obese. Study designed

to test the effectiveness of three 12 month weight loss plan that includes the following; a low

cost environmental change intervention, a web-based weight loss program and a web-based

weight loss program plus financial incentives.

Second study. Conducted over an 18 month period. Participants from the incentive arm

were eligible for up to $150 and up to $160 at the 12 month weigh in. Where overall payments

were given in accordance to how much baseline weight was lost. Two samples were used to

show this study and alongside the first study because of their expected similarities. Both of these

studies had the participants consent to allow access to their health insurance claims.

Dependent Variables

The ranges from 0 to 1 were used in the tables to represent the HRQOL score. 0 meaning

death and 1 meaning perfect health. Any negative numbers were not included, beacuse it

automatically meant death.

Absenteeism was recorded for both studies, representing the amount of days missed from

work due to injuries or illnesses. The 55% who did not suffer presenteeism was reflected with a

6. Those with 19% were ranged 7-9. For the 16% were ranged from 10-15 and the 11% were

ranged from 15-30 ( for high presenteeism) From the 12 months prior and to 18 months after, the

impatiens expenses were not included in the totals because of the limited number and large

variance.

Statistical Analysis

Finkelstein and colleagues discussed that the principle of these study was to know whether

participants were successful at reaching the end goal, a 5% or greater weight loss. With the
 Mireya Ahumada
4/13/2018
Article summary

control variables being; age, baseline BMI, ethnicity, diabetes, and bone or joint problems. The

comparison was between the changes from the dependent variables to the follow-up are

compared with those who did and did not achieve a 5% weight loss or greater.

Results

The concluding results demonstrated overall that there was no impactful benefit for the

period amount of time the study took place. 105 employees lost over 5% of their baseline weight

over the 12 month period.( These of whom benefited health wise aswell) A common reduction

by 3 percentage was shown in the probability of low presenteeism.

After 12 months, 1,137 participants provided absenteeism data and was found to be a

majority of females. Where a majority of males were seen, was from the 114 participants who

also lost a 5% or greater weight, according from the medical claims.

Discussion

Overall, from the evidence acquired, the weight loss makes individuals obtain lower

levels of presenteeism. Causing an increase to employee productivity when a 5% of baseline

weight is lost. Giving an overall effect of good health.

On the economical side, there was no evidence found in the saving of medical

expenditures. Even though there was evidence from the Diabetes Prevention Program and other

studies showing weight loss among some of the obese participants.

Works Cited
 Mireya Ahumada
4/13/2018
Article summary

Bilger, M. (2013, June). Welcome to CDC stacks | The Effect of Weight Loss on Health,

Productivity and Medical Expenditures among Overweight Employees - 29659 | CDC Public

Access. Retrieved April 1, 2018, from https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/29659

Reflection:

Even though, there were small differences between health for some of these

employees(like weight loss), overall there was an increase to emotional health. The small

changes these employees made did make a significance. Whether it being weight loss or

simply better mood. Making a successful work ethic. My take away from this is I can better

the way I feel by making small changes. Recently with my packed schedule, I have

neglecting my health a little. But this journal made me re analyze what I am doing for

myself.