Research Plus

Workplace health economics

The cost of worksite wellness

Worksite physical activity and/or nutrition programmes are generally more effective than ‘usual care’ in reducing body weight, cholesterol and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, but are more expensive, according to this systematic review (10 studies; 18 programmes). The intervention costs of body weight reduction through nutrition alone, or nutrition plus physical activity, varied from US$20 to US$43 (ca. £13–£27) per kg body weight lost. Economic analyses done from the employer’s perspective put the cost at US$75–US$1,534 (ca. £47–£968) per kg lost. Unit costs to reduce CVD risk scores and cholesterol are also given. Most studies had methodological flaws.

Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health 2012; online first: doi: 10.5271/sjweh.3275.

Tags cardiovascular cost benefit analysis evidence based practice obesity

Occupational Health at Work April/May 2012 (vol. 08/6) pp49