Obesity A Workplace Dilemma Paper
Obesity: A Workplace Dilemma
Valerie Tubman-Gooding
Shorter University
MGNT 3000
Dr. Craig Cleveland
January 18, 2012
Obesity: A Workplace Dilemma
Introduction
Obesity generally is a touchy, sensitive subject most people try to avoid. The fact remains this subject can no longer be ignored as studies have shown obesity is a greater trigger for health problems and increased health spending than smoking or drinking. Individuals who are obese have 30% to 50% more chronic medical problems than those who smoke or drink heavily (Strum, 2002). For the purpose of this paper, I will be analyzing obesity as it relates to the workplace. Obesity in the workplace is a growing problem with repercussions for employees as well as employers. …show more content…
A study done by the CDC National Center for Health Statistics showed the number of Americans considered obese in 2001 was 44 million or approximately one in five. This is a 74 percent increase since 1991. Also, the percentage of U.S. adults classified as obese doubled between 1980 and 2000, from 15 percent to 31 percent. In a research article by Park (2009), obesity in the workplace is attributed to many factors such as the combination of a sedentary job and poor eating habits, work stress, and job performance. Stress may contribute to obesity by its effects on behavior and metabolism. When your job is mentally challenging, you can have high psychological demands. This indicates that obesity may be a result of the biological and behavioral effects of stress. Obesity can also be caused by unhealthy coping mechanism such as overeating, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol consumption (Park, 2007). The research by Park also shows, obesity and job performance are correlated. This specific question was addressed for guiding the study - “Last week, did you have a job or business from which you were absent?” Those absent from work and indicating their own illness or injury as the primary reason for absence were considered absent due to a health problem. The odds of being absent from work were almost four times higher for obese young men (18 to 34) than for those with normal weight, after controlling for …show more content…
Many employers fear appearing discriminatory and may be fearful in indentifying individuals who are obese because they do not want to be thought of as discriminating against them. A study by Employment Law Alliance showed that nearly half of American workers believe that overweight employees are discriminated against in the workplace. Considering all of these factors there is a concern that companies attempting to tackle this problem may become embroiled in discrimination issues (Braun Consulting News,
Valerie Tubman-Gooding
Shorter University
MGNT 3000
Dr. Craig Cleveland
January 18, 2012
Obesity: A Workplace Dilemma
Introduction
Obesity generally is a touchy, sensitive subject most people try to avoid. The fact remains this subject can no longer be ignored as studies have shown obesity is a greater trigger for health problems and increased health spending than smoking or drinking. Individuals who are obese have 30% to 50% more chronic medical problems than those who smoke or drink heavily (Strum, 2002). For the purpose of this paper, I will be analyzing obesity as it relates to the workplace. Obesity in the workplace is a growing problem with repercussions for employees as well as employers. …show more content…
A study done by the CDC National Center for Health Statistics showed the number of Americans considered obese in 2001 was 44 million or approximately one in five. This is a 74 percent increase since 1991. Also, the percentage of U.S. adults classified as obese doubled between 1980 and 2000, from 15 percent to 31 percent. In a research article by Park (2009), obesity in the workplace is attributed to many factors such as the combination of a sedentary job and poor eating habits, work stress, and job performance. Stress may contribute to obesity by its effects on behavior and metabolism. When your job is mentally challenging, you can have high psychological demands. This indicates that obesity may be a result of the biological and behavioral effects of stress. Obesity can also be caused by unhealthy coping mechanism such as overeating, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol consumption (Park, 2007). The research by Park also shows, obesity and job performance are correlated. This specific question was addressed for guiding the study - “Last week, did you have a job or business from which you were absent?” Those absent from work and indicating their own illness or injury as the primary reason for absence were considered absent due to a health problem. The odds of being absent from work were almost four times higher for obese young men (18 to 34) than for those with normal weight, after controlling for …show more content…
Many employers fear appearing discriminatory and may be fearful in indentifying individuals who are obese because they do not want to be thought of as discriminating against them. A study by Employment Law Alliance showed that nearly half of American workers believe that overweight employees are discriminated against in the workplace. Considering all of these factors there is a concern that companies attempting to tackle this problem may become embroiled in discrimination issues (Braun Consulting News,