Burton WN, Edington DW, Schultz AB. Lifestyle Medicine and Worker Productivity. <\/span>Am J Lifestyle Med. 2020 Aug 19;15(2):136-139. doi: 10.1177\/1559827620948008. eCollection 2021 Mar-Apr.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have you ever thought that your lifestyle<\/strong> could affect your job performance<\/strong>? The authors of the article below (Lifestyle Medicine and Worker Productivity) asked this question last year when they published an interesting literature review on the subject.<\/p>\n In brief, a poor state of health<\/strong> due to excess weight, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle or sleep disorders, is not only linked to personal health care costs<\/strong> but also has work-related economic implications. The latter are consequences of temporary or permanent disabilities<\/strong>, as well as of absenteeism<\/strong>. In the past, absenteeism was mainly due to accidents, temporary illnesses such as the seasonal flu, or taking care of a sick relative (see Italian law 104\/92 on disability). Other lifestyle-related health conditions now seem to be the leading cause, slowing down the pace of work and increasing claims for compensation related to injury and illness.<\/p>\n A high BMI<\/strong>, resulting from overweight or obesity, is certainly a primary risk factor. Excess weight plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, neurological and metabolic pathologies (both acute and chronic), and musculoskeletal conditions<\/strong> (e.g. low back pain), which seem to be a major cause of lost productivity<\/strong> in terms of missed workdays.<\/p>\n Smoking<\/strong> is another example. The economic cost of smoking is almost split in half between worker health care and reduced performance due to increased work accidents and “cigarette breaks<\/strong>“.<\/p>\n It should be noted that adherence<\/strong> to physical activity<\/strong> programs once or, even better, twice a week has shown a measurable increase in productivity and fewer sick days<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Drug<\/strong> and alcohol abuse<\/strong> or mental health<\/strong> issues, such as anxiety and depression, are similarly related to absenteeism and slowed productivity<\/strong>, as is lack of sleep<\/strong> (<7-8 hours). The latter, as one can imagine, leads to a greater risk of injury<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Some research has shown that changing these habits<\/strong> has measurable effects<\/strong> on health<\/strong> and increases general productivity<\/strong>, leading to significant overall economic savings.<\/p>\n In conclusion, lifestyle medicine<\/strong> and workplace wellness<\/strong> share the same objectives: to reduce risk<\/strong> factors, increase<\/strong> physical and mental health<\/strong> and, at the same time, improve worker performance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n One more reason to invest in prevention, don’t you think?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Author<\/strong>: Agatino Sanguedolce<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-7875","in-un-flash","type-in-un-flash","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n