The Wiener Wirtschaftskreis, the think tank for economic and social policy of the Vienna Economic Chamber, pointed this out on the occasion of European Obesity Day on May 21st. The losses for companies due to sick leave amount to 1,421 euros for overweight and 3,079 euros for obesity per person and year.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than half of the people in Austria (54 percent) are overweight – the EU average is even 59 percent. In children aged five to nine years, 28 percent are clearly too heavy, in the age group of ten to 19 year olds 26 percent.
Austria’s children would still be above the EU average of 24 percent, the problem was outlined at a press conference in Vienna. More prevention would be important, according to the appeal.
“In addition to the massive damage to health, being overweight also costs the economy billions,” said Alexander Biach, deputy director of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, referring to medical help, operational failures and nursing care. In many cases, problems can be traced back to being overweight. One speaks of obesity when one is very severely or morbidly overweight.
According to Biach, 800 to 1,400 euros in additional costs per year and person could be reduced in the working population if obesity were avoided through exercise and nutrition.
Pension payments through disability pensions total four million euros or 17,220 euros per person, which are based on obesity and its consequences.
preventive behavior
Last but not least, obesity has a cost-intensive effect on care: With 2.9 billion in care costs in total and one billion of them for care allowance, “the budgetary burden is particularly overweight”.
It was emphasized that 5,885 euros in care allowance expenditure per person and year could be avoided through preventive behavior.
Source: Nachrichten
