Association Between Weight Reduction and Employees' Healthcare Cost

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study is to assess the impact of ≥15% body mass index (BMI) reduction on employees' health expenditures.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed health risk assessment surveys combined with insurance claims from January 2014 to December 2019. We compared costs of employees with baseline BMI > 30 who reported ≥15% BMI reduction in subsequent health risk assessment reports with employees who lost ≤5% BMI within the same period, matching the two cohorts on demographics and costs.

Results: The study cohort of 197 lost an average of 23% of their BMI from baseline. The average age was 44 years with majority females (approximately 80%). Group health insurance payments were similar at baseline; at year 1, the study cohort had a 33% payment reduction compared with 10% reduction in the control group.

Conclusions: A ≥15% BMI reduction was associated with a substantial medical cost savings.