Those who are overweight have three times as many sick days

Overweight.Photo.NTB SCANPIX

Obese Norwegians in their 50s are more absent from work than their peers, according to new statistics from Statistics Norway (SSB).

According to SSB, Norwegians with obesity in the age group 50 to 59 years have three times as many sick days as those with a BMI under 30. The figures show 15 against five sick days in the past twelve months.

The figures also show that smoking appears to affect labor force participation negatively, while having at least one chronic disease seems to have an even greater negative impact on being at work.

Daily smokers have two sick days more than colleagues who do not smoke. 50- 59 year olds who are in work and daily smokers had seven sick days during the past 12 months, while those who do not smoke had five sick days.

Norwegians aged 50- 59 years who have at least one chronic illness work fewer days when compared with healthy colleagues of the same age group.

They take out 10 sick days at 4 among those who have prolonged suffering.
The numbers will appear after the SSB has compared the figures in the report Health at a Glance 2016 comparable to Norwegian figures.

The figures show that the Norwegian population is at about the same level as the European average.

In its report, the OECD analyzed how risk factors for health affects employment opportunities and efficiency in the labor market for people aged 50 to 59 years.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today