Overweight people more likely to take sick leave, European study finds

Economic impact laid bare by findings has implications for UK where about two-thirds of people are overweight or obese

Overweight and obese people are significantly more likely than peers who are a healthy weight to take time off work because they are ill, a European study has found.

Someone who is overweight has a 12% higher chance of needing to take sick leave, and those who are obese – with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more – are much more likely to be absent on health grounds.