The Cause Of Obesity Epidemic
America is suffering an obesity epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 31 percent of American adults are overweight, and an additional 34 percent are clinically obese. Obesity affects about 93 million Americans, and costs employers an estimated $45 billion annually in lost productivity and increased health care costs.
While the majority of Americans are overweight, being overweight is viewed negatively. Overweight workers are seen as lazy, slow, less intellectual – all attributes employers shun. Studies suggest this bias derives from beliefs that excessive weight is a personal choice, the result of a lack of self-control or derives from weakness of character. This bias may be the last socially acceptable prejudice;
While the majority of Americans are overweight, being overweight is viewed negatively. Overweight workers are seen as lazy, slow, less intellectual – all attributes employers shun. Studies suggest this bias derives from beliefs that excessive weight is a personal choice, the result of a lack of self-control or derives from weakness of character. This bias may be the last socially acceptable prejudice;