Obesity and overweight—their impact on individual and corporate health

Abstract

Background

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, with at least 2.8 million people dying each year as a result of being overweight or obese. Once associated with high-income countries, obesity is now also prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. Not only an individual suffers from ill health, but also family members and organizations bear its consequences. The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalence of obesity and overweight and its association with five risk factors, namely unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, stress, alcohol consumption and smoking, in corporate organizations.

Methods

High expenses born by corporations because of high BMIs, which lead to overweight and obesity, are a problem. Descriptive research based on a cross-sectional study is used to target office workers in three different groups: group A is people aged 20–30 years old, group B is people 30–40 years old, and group C is people aged > 40 years. This study was conducted in West Asia, using a questionnaire as the instrument for the survey.

Results

The data were analyzed using regression and the Simple Lifestyle Index (SLSI). The higher the index, the healthier the person's lifestyle is. The professional’s working hours in the office were observed. The results indicated that the more working hours in a day, the greater the chances of becoming obese or overweight.

Discussion

It is found that of the five risk factors, only two, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, were found to have significant relationships (p < 5%) with overweight and obesity. The other three factors, stress, alcohol consumption and smoking, did not play a significant role in increasing an individual's weight. As a person’s BMI increases, the number of sick days, medical claims and health care costs increase. To reduce the burden of high medical costs on individuals and businesses, it is essential to have a health care awareness program.