Obesity, a global health concern, has severe implications not just for the individuals affected but also for businesses. With its association to numerous health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, obesity often contributes to serious costs in many workplaces. Whether it’s a 9-5 office job, a physically demanding outdoors vocation, or a role in hospitality, all industries are impacted by the dangers of obesity in employees.
The concern is rightly justified, as scientists at the Imperial College, London predict that a fifth of the world’s population will be obese by 2025. What’s worse, is the UK rank at the top of Europe’s obesity league, making the solution to this problem even more vital in our country. This is particularly the case when we view it through the lens of our underfunded national health service, who already see a stretch in capacity when hoping to alleviate the impact of obesity and weight health.
Excessive weight significantly impacts our health, influencing both our physical and mental states, and subsequently affecting productivity, management, and presence in the workplace.
How does obesity impact our weight health?
Carrying surplus weight increases the risk of various health complications, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancer types. Obesity has been linked with a higher risk of developing cancer than smoking, contributing to almost 8% of all cancer cases. Obesity can increase the risk of liver, gallbladder, bowel, breast, kidney, and pancreatic cancer.
Moreover, additional weight puts extra strain on our joints, leading to joint pain and a higher risk of arthritis. It can damage soft tissue and increase pressure on the hips and knees, with every extra pound of fat adding 4-6 pounds of pressure on the joints. This increased pressure can lead to more frequent and severe workplace injuries, particularly in physically demanding jobs.
Increased weight can also affect respiratory health, leading to reduced lung capacity and intensified respiratory tract infections. Moreover, the augmented need for blood flow and oxygen due to higher fat levels can also pose health challenges.
Obesity is often linked with sleep disturbances, which in turn can lead to a variety of health issues, as insufficient sleep weakens our immune system and can lead to mental health problems.
The mental aspect of weight gain is another crucial concern. Negative body image and reduced self-esteem often accompany weight gain, leading to depression, anxiety, and decreased life quality. This can create a vicious cycle where mental health issues lead to weight gain, and vice versa, leaving individuals feeling isolated and trapped.
To effectively combat health problems related to excessive weight, it’s essential to address the root causes rather than merely treating the symptoms. At Bodyline, we advocate for prioritizing weight management as a key strategy in promoting overall public and workforce health.
Obesity and its associated health problems is forecast to cost the NHS almost £10billion a year by 2050, and with statistics showing that sedentary jobs, poor diet, and unhealthy lifestyle choices continuing to contribute to weight gain and negative weight health complications, this is a problem that needs to be tackled now more than ever.
But who should be trying to tackle it, and how?
Contact Bodyline today to find out more about our safe and effective weight loss programmes and range of treatment options.
GLP-1 as a promising solution to obesity
GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and appetite. Medications that activate these receptors can aid in controlling appetite, regulating metabolism, and facilitating fat breakdown, which is why Ozempic/WeGovy and dual hormone GLP-1 and GIP Mounjaro are quickly becoming household names in the battle against obesity.
GLP-1 receptor agonists were initially prescribed as injectable pens to help those living with type-2 diabetes due to the hormone’s insulin-stimulating properties that control blood sugar levels. However, during clinical trials, researchers found incredible weight loss amongst participants, forcing them to look into the medication’s role in obesity management.
And now, further research is showing the promising effects of GLP-1 agonists on reducing the risk of strokes and other cardiovascular events.
As a result, GLP-1 receptor agonist medications have been remarketed and reformulated to be used to promote weight health in those living with obesity. The regulatory medical body National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has since approved some of them for use in treating obesity in the UK.
Excitingly, tirzepatide (known as Mounjaro) is a new injectable medication that has was just approved by MHRA in November 2023 for the treatment of obesity. Tirzepatide with the dual GLP-1 and GIP has shown groundbreaking results in promoting weight loss and controlling blood sugar levels. Clinical trials saw that over 85% of users saw a loss of between 5-20% of their body weight, far surpassing the effectiveness of other GLP-1 injectable medications available.
At Bodyline, we have been providing fully supportive weight health management programmes for over 17 years and have found that weight loss medications such as GLP-1 injections, latest GLP-1 / GIP injections and oral treatments are incredibly beneficial for adults living with obesity no matter their career.
The treatments we offer aid in appetite control, metabolism regulation, and fat breakdown by helping users remain in a calorie deficit and ensure they do not overeat. These therapies are exclusively used as part of a comprehensive weight loss programme and administered under the guidance of healthcare professionals.
The impact of weight loss on workforce productivity and health is profound. Studies show that reducing body weight by 5-10% can lead to reduced absenteeism, improved presenteeism, a decreased lifetime risk of Type 2 diabetes, reduced cardiovascular risk, and improved cholesterol levels. The benefits also extend to the mental well-being of employees, as weight loss often leads to improved self-esteem and body image, thus reducing the likelihood of mental health issues.
The ever-popular results of GLP-1 injectable weight loss therapies could be potentially game-changing for obesity levels in the workforce, as some medications have been seen to lead to an average 15% weight loss in clinical trials, surpassing the advised 5-10% weight loss previously mentioned.
The revolutionary Mounjaro weekly self administered weight health injection has been clinically proven to have a remarkable impact on weight health. It is evidenced through clinical trials that Mounjaro can achieve up to 20-25% body weight loss. This could mean losing nearly 10 times more weight compared to dieting and exercising along and significantly more than the 15% body weight loss results for Wegovy.
We believe it is crucial for employers to recognize the impact of obesity and related weight health problems on their workforce, with the outlook of taking proactive measures to address this issue. With obesity rates rising, as does the risk of medical complications thanks to weight health. The negative impact of obesity on health cannot be ignored, and it is imperative for workplaces to prioritize the health and well-being of their employees.
What is the employers’ role in weight health management?
People who live with obesity have abnormally high levels of fat in their body, and this is measured with the body mass index (BMI), a calculation of weight and height. If their BMI is over 30, they are classed as obese. Current statistics show that 25.9% of adults in the UK are currently obese, and almost three quarters of those aged 45-74 are overweight or obese.
We believe it is crucial for employers to recognize the impact of obesity and related weight health problems on their workforce, with the outlook of taking proactive measures to address this issue. With obesity rates rising, as does the risk of medical complications thanks to weight health. The negative impact of obesity on health cannot be ignored, and it is imperative for workplaces to prioritize the health and well-being of their employees.
Additionally, the relationship between work and weight is unfortunately more intertwined than we care to admit. Weight health can be negatively affected by shift patterns, routines, and activity levels which are all generally caused by a person’s job or workplace environment.
All the while, obesity affects the workforce and employers, being directly responsible for many early deaths thanks to higher risks of life-threatening problems like heart disease and cancer. These early deaths and illnesses are directly reducing numbers in the workforce, trimming talented individuals from careers. Furthermore, 131 million working days are lost due to sickness every year in the UK, and as obesity levels rise this statistic will rise too. This loss of talent and working days means that obesity impacts productivity across the country.
Obesity is a very sticky subject and can be hard to raise in a work environment, but its historical stigma is directly impacting our ability to actually tackle the problem. Additionally, the stigma trickles down to other issues in the workplace, such as discrimination, prejudice, and bullying, which only exacerbates mental health and productivity problems.
How can GLP-1s be integrated into workplace occupational health offerings?
Tackling obesity at the workplace requires a multifaceted approach that integrates occupational health and positive work environments to allow employees the confidence to seek help on their own accord.
Obesity is a touchy subject, and employers should have help of a supportive employer and access to work-based health programmes.
Here are the four points of change we believe will be conducive to a healthy workplace environment where employees feel confident to address their weight related health concerns:
Promoting Awareness and Offering Education: Employers can initiate campaigns or workshops to educate employees about obesity, its effects on health, and the benefits of weight management, including the role of GLP-1 treatments. Knowledge empowers employees to make informed decisions about their health.
Fostering a Supportive Environment: Employers can create a work atmosphere that encourages health and wellness. This could involve making healthier food options available, initiating workplace wellness programs that promote physical activity, and offering incentives for healthy lifestyle changes.
Addressing Weight-based Stigma: Creating a non-stigmatizing and inclusive work environment is crucial. Employers should focus on promoting overall well-being rather than focusing on weight. All employees, regardless of their weight, should feel valued for their contribution to the company.
Implementing Weight Management Programmes: Employers can collaborate with medical wellness providers like Bodyline Clinic to provide comprehensive weight management programmes. These programs can offer GLP-1 treatments under the supervision of healthcare professionals, alongside ongoing support and guidance.
When combatting health problems attributable to excessive weight, the logical response should be to focus on the root causes rather than on treating the symptoms. That’s why at Bodyline we believe managing weight as a way to manage overall health of the public and the workforce should be prioritised by employers throughout the country.
Against popular belief, obesity isn’t just a result of lifestyle; it can be caused by factors far out of people’s control. Medical issues can cause obesity as well as genetic predispositions in metabolism and hormonal imbalances, but also race, class, and disability are also linked to increased risk of obesity.
Obesity is a disease, a disease that can kill, but as with many health conditions, it can be preventable. Supported weight loss is the most effective tactic in reducing the chances of weight-health related absences and productivity loss.
Studies show a loss of 5-10% of body weight can positively impact a person’s health outcomes, thus improving their workplace presenteeism. Sustained weight loss of this level is proven to reduce absenteeism by more than 4 days per year, improve presenteeism by 6.3% and decrease the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 3%.
GLP-1 / GLP-1 GIP injectable therapies within supported weight loss management programmes, like those with Bodyline, have been proven to see users lose up to 15% of their starting weight, surpassing the benefits listed above.
This is why having specialist weight health partners , such as Bodyline, through occupational health providers could be the ideal solution. Employers could offer their workforce the latest in weight health treatment: medical weight loss solutions in the form of scientifically backed injectable or oral therapies alongside fully supported weight loss programmes.
The British Safety Council advises employers that weight management programmes should be offered to employees, though remind them that it is vital they also do not contribute to the stigmatisation of individuals living with obesity.
Weight-management programmes in work that are non-stigmatising and voluntary can provide the final push for successful weight loss.For more information on obesity management and personalized weight loss programs, contact Bodyline Clinic today at 0800 995 6036 or fill out our online contact form. Our experienced weight health clinical team are ready to provide the guidance and support you need on your or your employees weight loss journey.
