The Impact Of Obesity On Worker Health And Productivity

Illustration of obesity (Freepic)

JAKARTA - The problem of obesity continues to be a concern in the realm of public health in Indonesia. Over time, the number of adults who are overweight is increasing.

Based on data, the prevalence rate of obesity in adults reached 21.8% in 2018 and jumped to 28.7% in 2023. This condition is closely related to increasing triglyceride levels, decreasing HDL cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure, which are indicators of metabolic syndrome.

In the context of work, obesity does not only affect physical conditions, but also has an impact on cognitive functions such as difficulty concentrating (the fog brain), as well as an increased risk to various chronic diseases.

This can certainly reduce a person's performance and productivity in the workplace. Therefore, efforts to prevent and overcome obesity are important steps in maintaining the health and efficiency of the workforce.

Some of the factors that contribute to the high number of obesity among workers include prolonged stress, lack of physical activity (decent lifestyle), and unhealthy diets, such as excess consumption of sugar, fat, and calories, which are often found in processed or contemporary foods.

To maintain a balance between body health and work productivity, a number of steps can be taken:

1. Periodic Health Check-Up

Conduct routine health checks to identify the risk of obesity from an early age.

2. Nutrition Education and Healthy Eating Patterns

Holding seminars or workshops on weight management, how to read food labels, and the importance of balanced nutritional intake.

3. Weight Loss Program

Facilitating the Weight Loss Program (weight loss program) accompanied by nutritionists through a proven workshop and module.

LIGHT Group through the LIGHTcoach Corporate Wellness Program, has helped hundreds of obese workers to return to ideal weight and become healthier, since 2014.

This program is intended for companies as an answer to the challenges of increasing the number of obesity among workers caused by stress and an unhealthy lifestyle.

The LIGHTcoach Corporate Wellness Program consists of Wellness and Weight Loss Program which is the development of the LIGHTweight Program, which is a flagship program used at LIGHThouse clinics, a 21-year pioneer weight control center in Indonesia and has proven to be able to lose 3.5x times more effective weight and sustainability with the assistance of nutritionists for 90 days, so that participants can be sure to receive comprehensive support in the process of healthier and more productive lifestyle transformation.

"This program is here as an answer to the real challenges faced by many companies today, namely decreased productivity due to declining employee health conditions due to obesity and mental fatigue accompanied by several risks of developing derivative diseases (genetics)," said Chief Marketing Officer, Anna Yesito Wibowo, from the official LIGHT Group statement.

"Such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension,tenger heart disease and several other disease risks. Studies show that obesity and mental fatigue in the workplace not only have an impact on physical health, but also reduce overall energy, motivation, and work efficiency," he continued.

Apart from health, obesity also affects psychological and social aspects. Mental fatigue that often accompanies an unhealthy lifestyle can worsen the health condition of workers, so a comprehensive approach, both physically and mentally. This becomes crucial in the world of work.

The results are not only at the health level, but also at increasing organizational competitiveness and productivity as a whole.