Objective: To determine the relation between body mass index (BMI) and absenteeism.
Methods: Data were collected in a prospective cohort study (n = 1284). Multilevel analyses (linear mixed model with random intercept) with two levels (employee and company) were used to test whether BMI was related to duration and frequency of absenteeism and whether this relation was influenced by sports participation.
Results: Obese employees were absent 14 days a year more than normal-weight employees. Also the frequency of absenteeism of more than 7 days was significantly higher. The differences in absenteeism between obese and normal-weight employees were larger for employees who did not practice sport regularly.
Conclusions: Obese employees are more often absent and are absent longer, especially when they do not practice sport regularly. An active company policy to prevent obesity is needed, both from a health and a business efficiency perspective.