New study finds people living with obesity are more likely to take sick days

Researchers warns policymakers to act as they find people living with obesity are more likely to take time off work due to illness.

The health economics and health policy research group at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Vienna have found that the economic consequences of obesity are significant and urged policymakers to "take more action".

Based on 122,598 responses, the research included figures from 26 countries, most of which were collected in 2019. Participants were graded based on their body mass index (BMI), with absenteeism compared with those considered a healthy weight.

Key findings included that those with a BMI of between 25 and 30 were 12 per cent more likely to be off work ill, while those with a BMI of 30 to 35 were 36 per cent more likely to be absent from work.

They also found that people with a BMI of 35 to 40 were 61 per cent more likely to have sick days and the most obese participants - with a BMI of more than 40 - were 147 per cent more likely to take time off work sick.

Study leader Dr Thomas Czypionka said: "The health consequences and economic consequences of obesity are massive.

"With the current trajectory of obesity and childhood obesity prevalence that many countries are on, policymakers need to take more action to fight obesity using all evidence-based measures available."