ABSTRACT
Obesity is not just a problem in the United States; it is also increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that there are 1.6 billion overweight people in the world. In the United States, where 65% of people are overweight, there are also large differences in obesity between people of different ethnic origins. Obesity is the only remaining issue in our society in which discrimination seems to be acceptable. The cost of obesity-related expenditures had risen to $147 billion by 2010. Costs are estimated to reach $344 billion in 2018 if rates continue to increase at levels. Employers bear most of the costs associated with treating obesity-related conditions, primarily in terms of lost productivity; paid sick leave; and the increased cost of health, life, and disability insurance. Obese employees are twice as likely to have high-level absenteeism and 1.5 times more likely to have moderate absenteeism.
