Impact of a Structured Weight Management Program on Worker Productivity.

Objective: To determine the impact of an intensive behavioral weight management program on presenteeism and absenteeism in obese participants employed full-time.

Methods: Participants were recruited from the University of Michigan Weight Management program (WMP), a multidisciplinary lifestyle program targeting 15% body weight loss. Absenteeism and presenteeism were assessed using the World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (HPQ) at baseline and 6 months.

Results: One hundred forty-two participants, predominantly college-educated white-collar employees, were included in the study. After 6 months in the program, there was no significant change in absenteeism or presenteeism compared with baseline. There was a trend towards reduced absenteeism.

Conclusions: Participation in an intensive weight management program did not adversely impact worker productive time. Conversely, our findings should be reassuring to employer groups and to employees with obesity concerned about time spent away from work.