We've all heard the statistics. Obesity is on the rise, and at its current rate, 51% of Americans may be obese by 2030, according to an analysis by the National Heart Forum. Medical expenses related to obesity could reach $344 billion by 2018, accounting for 21% of U.S. healthcare spending.
Several studies have shown that this trend also impacts workers' compensation (WC) costs, as obese workers generally experience more injuries and more expensive claims than their non-obese counterparts.
In this article, we'll review several new, emerging obesity issues that WC professionals must be aware of, as well as proactive strategies to cope with this growing challenge.
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