Economic Report:

What is the cost of obesity on employers? According to a new report from the Conference Board, obese employees cost US companies $45 billion per year in medical coverage and loss of worker productivity. Thirty-four percent of American adults are obese; double the rate 30 years ago. Obesity has led to an increase of 36 percent in healthcare spending. More than 40 percent of U.S. companies have obesity-reduction programs.