D C van Duijvenbode1, M J M Hoozemans, M N M van Poppel, K I Proper. 1. Department of Public and Occupational Health and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 7, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between overweight and obesity and sick leave. DESIGN: Systematic, qualitative review. LITERATURE SEARCH: A search in diverse databases was performed. Studies were considered as relevant if they were longitudinal in design and investigated the relationship between overweight and obesity and sick leave. DATA EXTRACTION: The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated with a quality criteria list. To draw conclusions, a best-evidence synthesis was applied. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included. Four out of seven found overweight to be a predictor of long-term sick leave, whereas the remaining three showed a positive trend, but did not observe significance. Of the five studies investigating the relationship between overweight and short-term sick leave, inconsistent results were shown. Seven out of eight studies investigating the relationship with long-term sick leave found obesity as a significant predictor of long-term sick leave. In contrast, there were inconsistent results between the five studies examining the relationship between obesity and short spells of sick leave. CONCLUSIONS: Although this review found inconclusive evidence for a relationship between overweight and sick leave, a clear trend was discerned in that overweight was a predictor of especially long spells (>7 days) of sick leave. As regards obesity, there was strong evidence for a positive relationship with sick leave because of the consistent finding that obesity was a significant predictor of long-term sick leave.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between overweight and obesity and sick leave. DESIGN: Systematic, qualitative review. LITERATURE SEARCH: A search in diverse databases was performed. Studies were considered as relevant if they were longitudinal in design and investigated the relationship between overweight and obesity and sick leave. DATA EXTRACTION: The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated with a quality criteria list. To draw conclusions, a best-evidence synthesis was applied. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included. Four out of seven found overweight to be a predictor of long-term sick leave, whereas the remaining three showed a positive trend, but did not observe significance. Of the five studies investigating the relationship between overweight and short-term sick leave, inconsistent results were shown. Seven out of eight studies investigating the relationship with long-term sick leave found obesity as a significant predictor of long-term sick leave. In contrast, there were inconsistent results between the five studies examining the relationship between obesity and short spells of sick leave. CONCLUSIONS: Although this review found inconclusive evidence for a relationship between overweight and sick leave, a clear trend was discerned in that overweight was a predictor of especially long spells (>7 days) of sick leave. As regards obesity, there was strong evidence for a positive relationship with sick leave because of the consistent finding that obesity was a significant predictor of long-term sick leave.
Authors: Karin I Proper; Lando L J Koppes; Marianne H J van Zwieten; Wanda J E Bemelmans Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2011-09-27 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Jeanette R Christensen; Kristian Overgaard; Isabella G Carneiro; Andreas Holtermann; Karen Søgaard Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2012-08-08 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Debbie Wierenga; Luuk H Engbers; Pepijn van Empelen; Vincent H Hildebrandt; Willem van Mechelen Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2012-08-07 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Lisanne M Verweij; Karin I Proper; Andre N H Weel; Carel T J Hulshof; Willem van Mechelen Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2009-12-14 Impact factor: 3.295