Relationship between Physical Activity, Weight Status and Productivity Impairment in Health Plan Members

An abstract of a study by Brodney and Sammartino examining the relationship between physical activity, weight status and productivity impairment in health plan members is highlighted. Of the participants, 70% were female, 84% white, 52% had a college education, 26% had high activity levels, and 69% were overweight or obese. The Work Limitation Questionnaire (WLQ) scores were significantly lower in normal weight/active and obese/active women compared to inactive women in similar weight strata. Overweight and obese but active men had significantly lower WLQ scores compared to inactive men. Encouraging health plan members to increase physical activity, regardless of weight status, may offer a strategy to limit productivity loss and reduce health care costs.