Obesity problems weigh on workers comp

The U.S. obesity epidemic is presenting difficult workers compensation challenges, complicating efforts to return employees to work and to full health. Not only are obese workers comp claimants likely to miss more work days than healthy-weight co-workers with similar injuries, obese workers are likely to have higher medical costs and are more likely to become permanently disabled, research has shown. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults and children remained steady in 2009-2010 compared with 2007-2008.