Costs Driving Employer Action Against Obesity

1. Costs Driving Employer Action Against Obesity National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago Jon Gabel, Senior Fellow In conjunction with: The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services

2. Major Findings • Both employers and employees see weight management programs as appropriate and effective. • 71% of employers view offering obesity-related services as appropriate • 80% of employees, regardless of weight, agree healthful lifestyles/weight management programs belong in the workplace • 73% of employers view offering obesity-related services as effective • 67% of employers are concerned about the effects of obesity on medical claims expenses • 93% of employers see obesity as a preventable condition and the result of poor lifestyle choices • Less than half of employers believe their company has given enough attention to the problem of obesity

3. Objectives To document current weight management programs offered at the workplace To learn about employers’ and employees attitudes about obesity To examine employees’ views on weight management programs at the workplace Source: NORC/George Washington University Survey on Employer and Employee Views of Obesity, 2007

4. Study Methods • National Research LLP conducted interviews with employee benefit managers from 505 public and private employers with 50 or more workers. All firms surveyed also offered health insurance. • Employers were randomly selected from a list of the nation’s employers compiled by Dun and Bradstreet. • Interviews were conducted from October through December 2007. • Random selection allows one to extrapolate from sample to U.S. population for typical employer.

5. Study Methods • ICR conducted telephone interviews with 1,352 persons in January 2008 • Age 18-64 • Employed full or part-time • Employer had 50 or more workers • Employee was enrolled in an employer or employee-sponsored plan. • The study uses statistical weights to extrapolate to the relevant US population Source: NORC/George Washington University Survey on Employer and Employee Views of Obesity, 2007

6. Most Employers See Obesity as a Preventable Condition and the Result of Poor Lifestyle Choices Chart # 17

7. A Majority of Employers Are Concerned about Medical Costs Associated with Obesity Chart # 14 * Estimate is significantly different from all other firms by response category.

8. Employers Think Weight Management Programs Are Appropriate -- Cite Costs as Major Reason Chart # 3 * Jumbo firm estimate is significantly different from all other firms.

9. Most Firms Think Weight Management Programs are Effective, Want More Evidence Chart # 4 * Jumbo firm estimate is significantly different from all other firms.

10. Eight Out of Ten Employees – No Matter Their Weight – Say Weight Management Programs Belong at Work Exhibit 3 * Tests found no significantly different estimates from all other BMI levels Source: NORC/George Washington University Survey on Employer and Employee Views of Obesity, 2007

11. Employers: “Has your firm given enough resources to fight obesity?” Chart # 2 * Tests found no significantly different estimates from all other firms by response category.

12. Comparison of Weight Categorization, Body Mass Index Versus Self-reported Self Perceived Weight Categorization Body Mass Index (BMI) Weight Categorization Exhibit 1 Source: NORC/George Washington University Survey on Employer and Employee Views of Obesity, 2007 12