Obesity is costing your business more than you think—here’s how to change that

Medically reviewed by: Kamilah Williams, MD

Obesity has long been treated as a cost to contain—another rising claims category on the CFO’s desk. But for employers looking to future-proof their workforce strategy, that framing is too narrow. 

What if obesity wasn’t just a financial burden, but a signal? A symptom that reflects deeper strain across employee health, equity, and performance?

Today, nearly 42% of U.S. adults live with obesity. And the impact on employers is staggering. According to GlobalData, obesity and being overweight cost the U.S. nonfarm workforce $425.5 billion in 2023 alone​. That number includes medical claims, disability, and workers' comp—but also a massive $160 billion in presenteeism costs, when employees show up but aren’t able to perform at their best. 

Obesity isn’t just a health condition. It’s a performance issue. It limits long-term employability, drives chronic disease, and quietly erodes energy, focus, and retention. These are solvable problems—but only if employers shift from either ignoring completely or making reactive coverage decisions to proactive, systems-level care.

The status quo isn’t working

Traditional workplace wellness efforts aren’t equipped to address obesity. While step challenges and nutrition webinars might check a box, they don’t address the complex biology of obesity as a chronic disease. 

At the other end of the spectrum, simply covering GLP-1 medications like Wegovy® (semaglutide) and Zepbound® (tirzepatide) without a broader treatment model is another common misstep. These medications are effective, but they’re not magic. Real-world data shows that GLP-1 medications on their own typically lead to just 3–5% weight loss over 12 months. 

Compare that to research-backed programs like Calibrate’s, which combines medication (when appropriate) with 1:1 coaching, lifestyle intervention, and clinician support. Our members average 19% sustained weight loss at 36 months—far exceeding outcomes from medication alone. 

Even more importantly, our members see significant improvements in key health markers: 

• 76% of Calibrate members with prediabetes or diabetes achieved normal HbA1c levels within a year
• 83% reduced systemic inflammation (hs-CRP), a key marker of chronic disease risk
• 35% of members with at-risk waist circumferences reduced them to normal, improving visceral fat and metabolic health​. 

These aren’t just nice-to-haves. They’re the kinds of outcomes that reduce downstream medical costs and build a healthier, more satisfied, and productive workforce. 

A new lens on obesity: From claims cost to performance indicator

Forward-thinking employers are beginning to reframe obesity. Not as an isolated diagnosis, but as a broader indicator of employee wellbeing, systemic health risk, and organizational performance. 

They’re asking bigger questions, like:

• How do we integrate weight and metabolic health into our long-term workforce strategy?
• How can we make high-quality obesity care more equitable and accessible? 
• What’s our role in reducing stigma and improving outcomes at scale?

These questions signal a shift—from checking a box on drug coverage to building a true obesity treatment center of excellence. One that will ultimately help their bottom line.

With Calibrate, that means offering a scalable, validated program. Our Metabolic Reset includes clinically appropriate prescription access to GLP-1s and other anti-obesity medications (AOMs), 1:1 coaching, and a digital curriculum built around four proven pillars for metabolic health: food, sleep, exercise, and emotional health.

It also includes ongoing metabolic tracking and support for members tapering off medication—ensuring sustainable results, not just quick wins. 

And it works. Employers who use Calibrate see up to 3:1 ROI, according to independent validation—largely thanks to our whole-person approach that combines clinical tools with behavior change support. 

Learn more about Calibrate for employers.

The cost of doing nothing is rising

Each year an employee lives with untreated obesity, the costs compound—not just in healthcare spending, but in productivity loss, disability claims, and disengagement.

Obesity is linked to over 200 chronic conditions including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and musculoskeletal issues. Treating these conditions accounts for 29% of total employer healthcare spending. 

Employees with obesity are also more likely to miss work, take disability leave, and struggle with energy, focus, and engagement on the job​.

There’s also a growing equity gap. Despite higher rates of obesity and diabetes in communities of color, 85% of semaglutide prescriptions in 2023 went to white adults. When employers offer a comprehensive, inclusive care model, they don’t just improve outcomes—they help close that gap.

Beyond cost savings: A stronger culture; improved engagement

When employers treat obesity as the chronic disease it is—not a failure of willpower—they do more than just offer care. They shift the narrative.

That shift matters. Obesity is one of the most stigmatized health conditions in the workplace. It’s often misunderstood, judged, or dismissed entirely—which leads to silence, presenteeism, and disengagement. When people don’t feel safe acknowledging what they’re going through, they show up, but not fully.

By offering a legitimate healthcare solution like Calibrate—one that includes clinical care, prescription support, and coaching—employers send a clear signal: This is a medical condition, and we’re treating it that way. That alone helps break down stigma.

It also builds trust. Employees are more likely to feel seen, supported, and valued when their employer takes their health seriously. 

That kind of support doesn’t go unnoticed. It helps employees feel more connected to their organization—a major driver of retention and engagement, especially in a world where top talent has options.

The path forward: Strategic, scalable, and human-centered

Obesity is a chronic disease, not a lifestyle failure. And treating it effectively requires an approach that’s as multidimensional as the problem itself.

The good news: employers have the power to lead. By investing in a comprehensive weight health solution—one that integrates GLP-1 access with evidence-based lifestyle intervention—organizations can reduce total healthcare spend, improve employee performance, and build a healthier, more resilient workforce.

Obesity may be a cost today. But treated strategically, it’s also one of the greatest opportunities to improve workforce health and performance for the long term.

Want to see how Calibrate can support your team? Give us a shout to learn more about our enterprise solutions.

Sources

Calibrate Health. (2025). 2025 Results Report. Calibrate Health, Inc. https://www.joincalibrate.com

Calibrate. (2024, August 26). Beyond diet and exercise: How effective weight loss management helps save on healthcare costs. HR Dive. https://www.hrdive.com/spons/beyond-diet-and-exercise-how-effective-weight-loss-management-helps-save-o/723951/ 

Calibrate. (2024, October 21). The 1 feature employers must offer for GLP-1 solutions to be effective. HR Dive. https://www.hrdive.com/spons/the-1-feature-employers-must-offer-for-glp-1-solutions-to-be-effective/729833/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, May 17). Adult obesity facts. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult-obesity-facts/index.html

GlobalData. (2024, February). Assessing the economic impact of obesity and overweight on employers: Identifying paths toward work force health and well-being. https://www.globaldata.com/health-economics/US/Employers/Overweight-Obesity-Impact-on-Employers.pdf

Jethani, N., & Prakash, S. (n.d.). Measuring GLP-1 efficacy in the real world. Dandelion Research. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://dandelionhealth.ai/glp1-real-world-efficacy

Lovelace Jr., B., Kopf, M., & Kane, J. (2024, March 15). Popular weight loss drugs remain out of reach for many who need them. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/-weight-loss-drugs-wegovy-zepbound-out-of-reach-rcna142763

UnitedHealthcare. (2024, October 14). Breaking down the conditions raising employer health care costs.https://www.uhc.com/agents-brokers/employer-sponsored-plans/news-strategies/costliest-health-conditions-for-employers