FACTS TO SUPPORT THE BUSINESS CASE 34% of adults aged 20-74 are obese (BMI greater than or equal to 30), up from 15% in 1980.2
See a graphic of the increase in obesity nationwide. Physical inactivity, overweight, and obesity are responsible for an estimated 27% of national health care charges.3 Physically active people have fewer hospital stays and physician visits and use less medication than people who are inactive.4 Average annual health care costs for obese adults (those with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or more than 30) are 36% higher when compared to normal weight individuals (with a BMI less than 25).5 Studies show an average savings of $3.93 per dollar invested in a worksite health promotion program.6 Chronic disease is showing up most often among employees between the ages of 45 and 59 worldwide.7 Chronic diseases (heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke) are responsible for 7 in 10 deaths in the United States and are the most costly diseases to treat; however, they are largely preventable8 through lifestyle modifications, including increased physical activity. Employees suffering from hypertension, heart disease, or depression and mental illness have the greatest impact on productivity and cost American businesses roughly $392, $368, and $348 respectively per year for treatment, prescription drugs, absenteeism, and short-term disability.9 These chronic conditions are preventable and/or symptoms improved through modifications to lifestyle including the incorporation of physical activity.10 Average health care expenditures for people with diabetes run about $13,243 per person, compared with $2,650 per person for people without diabetes. Even after the differences in age, sex, race and ethnicity are taken into account, people with diabetes had medical expenditures that were 2.4 times higher than comparable people without diabetes.11
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