1. Obesity and Workplace Injury in Hazardous Occupations
Barbara Klyde PAC PhD

2. More than 1/3 (39% or 78.6 million) of US adults are obese
Obesity Prevalence MAP
More than 1/3 (39% or 78.6 million) of US adults are obese
The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S. in 2008 $147 Billion
CDC 2014

3. Obesity Demographics
Non Hispanic Blacks highest rate of obesity (47.8%)
Hispanics (42.5%)
Non Hispanic Whites (32.6%)
Non Hispanic Asians (10.8%)
Middle age adults years of age (39.5%) ; 60 or above (35.4%)
Young adults years of age (30.3%)
CDC 2014

4. Socioeconomic level and Obesity
Black and Mexican-American men with higher incomes more likely to be obese
Higher income and higher education women less likely to be obese
No significant relationship of educational level and obesity for men

5. Definition of Obesity= BMI > 30 (body mass index > 30 calculated BY WEIGHT IN KILOGRAMS DIVIDED BY HEIGHT IN METERS SQUARED)
Obesity increases the risk of developing diabetes, hypertension, CVD, certain cancers, arthritis and sleep apnea
Obese individuals in the U.S. population is mirrored in worker’s compensation claimant population as more prevalent with twice as many claims files than normal weight individuals ( Christine M. Fleming, claims management Millman, A Weighty Problem)

6. Disability(Derived from 2012 Study by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (Indemnity Benefit Duration and Obesity)
Obesity affects both medical and indemnity costs
Temporary and permanent disability claims of obese workers are 5 times longer than those involving normal weight workers
If partial disability benefits are included then indemnity costs climb to 6 times that of normal weight workers
One study found obese workers lost 13 times as many workdays and 80% more time away from normal work than normal weight workers

7. Possible Solutions for a Weighty Problem
Awareness of increased illnesses and injury related to overweight and obesity
Regular safety updates and training for employers and employees
Providing opportunity for maintaining healthy lifestyle in workplace environment
Developing team for improving awareness of increasing incidence and prevalence of obesity and workplace injury

8. Hazardous Occupations
Logging, Fishing , Construction are contributing the most morbidity and mortality rates according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Transportation leads with the most fatalities.
Both Police and firefighters suffer more injury or fatality involving vehicular accidents

9. injury/fatality for Police and Firefighters
Sudden cardiac death is the number one cause of firefighters over age of 35 line-of-duty deaths in the U.S. yearly ( Fahy, RF, et al Firefighter fatalities in the United States 2009 and U.S. fire services fatalities in structure fires, Retrieved from:
Trauma is the leading cause of death of firefighters under age 35 (Firefighter fatality retrospective study. United States Fire Administration, Retrieved from

10. Take away message
Cultural awareness of how obesity affects workplace injury in hazardous occupations
Developing prevention strategies through team participation (ground up)
Recognition and reward for lifestyle changes

11. Contact:
Google: Barbara Klyde Scholar Works ( for full dissertation )