8273805 Impact of obesity on work ability and workforce participation in the south danish obesity initiative

<h3>Objective</h3> Previous studies have found that obesity are associated with reduced work ability as well as increased sickness absence and a lower likelihood of employment. However, body mass index (BMI) estimations in these studies have been based on self-reported weight and height, which may be inaccurate. This study aims to investigate the impact of obesity on work ability and workforce participation in the South Danish Obesity Initiative (SDOI) cohort using objective measurements of height and weight. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> The SDOI cohort includes approximately 1100 cases with obesity (BMI≥30kg/m2), 100 controls with overweight (BMI 25-29.9) and 100 controls with normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9), who have undergone an extensive health examination including measurements of weight and height and screening for obesity-related diseases. Furthermore, participants completed questionnaires on pain, job characteristics and work ability based on the Work Ability Index questionnaire. Data on employment and welfare benefits are available for all participants in the Danish DREAM database. In a cross-sectional study, we will assess work ability and labour market outcomes, including sickness absence and likelihood of employment, for all cases compared to controls as well as for higher compared to lower BMI subgroups among cases. We will also examine the impact of obesity-related diseases, self-reported pain and job characteristics such as shift work and active versus sedentary work. <h3>Results</h3> The study will generate results regarding the impact of obesity on work ability and workforce participation. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The results of this study can strengthen existing evidence on the impact of excess body weight on work ability and workforce participation, thereby contributing to a better understanding of potential weight-related social inequalities in the labour market. Furthermore, this study may lead to identification of risk factors for reduced work ability and workforce participation, supporting the development of targeted preventive strategies.