By now you know all about the massive healthcare bills smokers, poor eaters and couch potatoes can rack up. But you may be surprised to hear how much they’re costing you in another vital area.
According to a new study from the Netherlands, those who smoke, eat poorly and fail to exercise are less productive on the job — and are far more likely to miss work altogether.
The study was conducted from 2005 through 2009 and surveyed more than 10,600 people in the Netherlands. The results were published in the Sept. 28 online edition of the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Some findings:
- Obese workers were found to be 66% more likely to call in sick for 10 to 24 days — and 55% more likely to miss at least 25 days
- Smokers were found to be 30% more likely to take off 10 to 24 days, and
- Drinkers — those who drank 10 or more glasses of alcohol each week — were actually less likely to take time off.
