Obesity Increase Risk of Injury on the Job

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Injury Research and Policy conducted a study in which they found that those employees who were classified as overweight or obese by BMI Standards (Body Mass Index- which calculates body fat using the person's height and weight) were more likely to suffer a traumatic workplace injury.

The study participants include 7,690 workers in various aluminum manufacturing plants across the country. Of the 7,690 workers included in the study, 29% were injured at least once between January 2, 2002, and December 31, 2004. Approximately 85% of the injured workers were classified as overweight or obese. More than 28% of injuries occurred among employees classified as overweight, 30% in the obese category and almost 34% in the severely obese category. The severely obese group also had the most injuries to the hand/wrist/finger (22%) when compared to the same injuries in the other weight categories.

The authors recommend obesity prevention programs to reduce workplace injury rates and work time loss.

To read more about the study, click here