costs driving employer action against obesity
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Costs Driving Employer Action Against Obesity. National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago Jon Gabel, Senior Fellow In conjunction with: The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services. Major Findings. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Costs Driving Employer Action Against Obesity
National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago
Jon Gabel, Senior Fellow
In conjunction with:
The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services
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Major Findings
• Both employers and employees see weight management programs as appropriate and effective.– 71% of employers view offering obesity-related services as appropriate – 80% of employees, regardless of weight, agree healthful lifestyles/weight
management programs belong in the workplace – 73% of employers view offering obesity-related services as effective
• 67% of employers are concerned about the effects of obesity on medical claims expenses
• 93% of employers see obesity as a preventable condition and the result of poor lifestyle choices
• Less than half of employers believe their company has given enough attention to the problem of obesity
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Source: NORC/George Washington University Survey on Employer and Employee Views of Obesity, 2007
Objectives
• To document current weight management programs offered at the workplace
• To learn about employers’ and employees attitudes about obesity
• To examine employees’ views on weight management programs at the workplace
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Study Methods
• National Research LLP conducted interviews with employee benefit managers from 505 public and private employers with 50 or more workers. All firms surveyed also offered health insurance.
• Employers were randomly selected from a list of the nation’s employers compiled by Dun and Bradstreet.
• Interviews were conducted from October through December 2007.
• Random selection allows one to extrapolate from sample to U.S. population for typical employer.
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Source: NORC/George Washington University Survey on Employer and Employee Views of Obesity, 2007
• ICR conducted telephone interviews with 1,352 persons in January 2008
– Age 18-64
– Employed full or part-time
– Employer had 50 or more workers
– Employee was enrolled in an employer or employee-sponsored plan.
• The study uses statistical weights to extrapolate to the relevant US population
Study Methods
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Most Employers See Obesity as a Preventable Condition and the Result of Poor Lifestyle Choices
5%
21%
23%
11%
28%
49%
16%
36%
57%
57%
70%
59%
44%
2%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Futile to treat
Out of someone's control
A disease
The result of poor willpower
Genetic in origin
A preventable condition
The result of poor lifestyle choices
Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree
Chart # 17
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A Majority of Employers Are Concerned about Medical Costs Associated with Obesity
32%
26%
39%
47%
47%
40%
41%
50%*
41%*
22%*
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
5000+ Workers
1000-4999 Workers
200-999 Workers
50-199 Workers
Overall
Very Concerned Somewhat Concerned
Chart # 14
* Estimate is significantly different from all other firms by response category.
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Employers Think Weight Management Programs Are Appropriate -- Cite Costs as Major Reason
26%
71%
56%54%
41%
52%
58%
92%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Yes * Employer Pays LargeShare of Premium
Firm Hopes to Save onPremium Expenses
Productivity Issue
Overall Jumbo firms (5000+ Workers)
Chart # 3
* Jumbo firm estimate is significantly different from all other firms.
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Most Firms Think Weight Management Programs are Effective, Want More Evidence
73%
46%45%
41%
63%
86%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Yes * It shows employees that obesityis serious and important *
There is evidence that it works
Overall Jumbo firms (5000+ Workers)
Chart # 4
* Jumbo firm estimate is significantly different from all other firms.
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Eight Out of Ten Employees – No Matter Their Weight – Say Weight Management Programs Belong at Work
Exhibit 3
Source: NORC/George Washington University Survey on Employer and Employee Views of Obesity, 2007
* Tests found no significantly different estimates from all other BMI levels
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Employers: “Has your firm given enough resources to fight obesity?”
11%
13%
13%
21%
12%
32%
30%
43%
25%
32%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
50-199 workers
200-999 workers
1,000+ workers
5,000+ workers
All Firms
Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree
Chart # 2
* Tests found no significantly different estimates from all other firms by response category.
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Comparison of Weight Categorization, Body Mass Index Versus Self-reported
Self Perceived Weight Categorization Body Mass Index (BMI) Weight Categorization
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Source: NORC/George Washington University Survey on Employer and Employee Views of Obesity, 2007
Exhibit 1
Normal, 55%
Overweight, 39%
Obese, 2%
Underweight, 4%
Normal, 32%
Overweight, 40%
Obese, 26%
Underweight, 2%