1. Obesity is a hidden driver of benefit costs
Obesity isn’t captured in the group benefits and disability data today. Yet we know it significantly increases the risk factors for the most common chronic conditions that we see in the data including cardiovascular disease, mental illness, musculoskeletal disorders and diabetes.
2. Obesity is a complex chronic disease that requires a holistic treatment approach
Obesity is caused by several factors, including genetics (40-70%), trauma, lifestyle, mental illness, socioeconomic status, and medications.
3. The impact of obesity on your benefits plan
Obesity impacts numerous disease states in a cyclical manner.
4. Employers can support employees living with obesity
Employers can offer holistic programming that includes access to weight management medications such as Wegovy and EFAP, sleep hygiene programs, and dietician and nutritionist coaching through paramedical benefits, work accommodations, education, and awareness to reduce stigma and weight bias in the workplace.