Sick Leave: Obesity
2026-06-10 · Department of Health and Social Care · HL895 · Official question
Question
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential savings to the economy from reductions in sickness absence associated with effective treatment of obesity.
Answer
The Department commissioned a rapid review with the Obesity Policy Research Unit in 2025 which found that overweight and obesity are associated with labour market outcomes such as sickness absence. Evidence indicates that individuals living with obesity t...