Anti-obesity drugs and lifestyle factors
These medications are generally prescribed alongside other lifestyle changes that can support weight management, such as nutrition and physical activity. This reflects the increasing recognition of obesity as a chronic condition that is best addressed through a combination of interventions.
Importantly, The Wellness Report 2023 data shows that 45% of people are not getting enough physical activity, while 32% are not getting enough sleep. It also reveals that 73% of individuals are not consuming the recommended five or more portions of fruits and vegetables per day, indicating a significant gap in nutrition.
Adjusting lifestyle factors can optimize the impacts of anti-obesity medication and provide the additional support needed to help an individual manage their weight.
Read how the demand for anti-obesity medication created shortages of the drugs for people with Type 2 diabetes: Ozempic, diabetes, weight loss, and your benefits coverage
Workplace benefits of providing coverage for anti-obesity medication
Anti-obesity medications can’t help your employees with weight management unless they can access them. Including coverage for anti-obesity drugs in your group benefits plans is a crucial step as it lowers barriers to access and can show your commitment to supporting your employees’ overall health and well-being.
“The workplace benefits of providing coverage for anti-obesity medication are becoming increasingly evident as more people strive to manage their weight and improve their overall health,” says Dr. Steve Pomedli of Cleveland Clinic Canada. “These medications can have significant positive impacts on employees in their obesity management journeys and can also have positive impacts for employers.”
Supporting the health and well-being of your employees isn’t just the right thing to do, it can be good for business too. By effectively managing weight, individuals may experience an improvement in obesity-related health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and reductions in day-to-day symptoms as well. This, in turn, can lead to fewer sick days, lower healthcare costs, and increased overall productivity in the workplace.
According to The Wellness Report, 32% of employees surveyed are at risk of developing a chronic condition based on their body composition (the makeup of a person's body). This statistic highlights the importance of being proactive and by supporting your employees by providing them with coverage for anti-obesity medications.
Read more about considerations for obesity care in the workplace: Benefits of weight-loss medication coverage
Rising demand and the implications for employers
The increasing use of anti-obesity medications suggests there could be an underlying unmet need for support and treatments that can help individuals with weight management, and in addressing medical conditions related to their weight.
Taking additional proactive measures, like offering workplace wellness programs and providing resources to support employees, such as access to nutrition counselling, fitness programs, and weight management support, are also important. Psychological supports can also help with behavioural change for better weight management, therefore offering coverage for these services can help employees access the services they may benefit from.
Read more about on-site health clinics: Why workplace health clinics should be part of your wellness program
Doing so may help set your employees up for success in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, reducing the risk of weight-related health issues, and promoting overall well-being.
