New research presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025) reveals that individuals who lived with obesity in childhood are less likely to be employed or in education by their mid-20s compared to their peers. The study also shows a higher prevalence of long-term sick leave among this group, highlighting the long-term socio-economic impact of childhood obesity.
Key Findings: Childhood Obesity and Labour Market Outcomes
Conducted by Dr. Emilia Hagman and her team at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, the study examined how childhood obesity affects employment, education, and health-related work absences in early adulthood.
Using data from the Swedish Childhood Obesity Treatment Register and national welfare databases, the researchers compared 3,514 individuals who experienced obesity in childhood with 16,809 matched controls from the general population. All participants were born between 1978 and 1996.
At age 25:
59% of individuals with childhood obesity were working or studying, compared to 68% of their peers.
Rates of parental leave (3% vs. 2%) and low-paid work (22% in both groups) were similar.
However, long-term sick leave was significantly more common among the childhood obesity group (8.1%) compared to the general population (2.3%).
Severity of Childhood Obesity Matters
The study further found that the severity of obesity in childhood influenced outcomes:
Individuals with class 3 obesity (the most severe category) were 2.85 times more likely to be on long-term sick leave and 2.97 times more likely to be welfare recipients or in other non-working categories than those with class 1 obesity.
Complex Socio-Economic Factors
Dr. Hagman noted that childhood obesity is more prevalent in individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds, often due to limited access to healthy foods. Previous research has also shown that children with obesity are less likely to complete 12 years of schooling, which can impact future job prospects.
“Initially, we expected childhood obesity to correlate with higher rates of low-paid work, given the association with lower educational attainment,” Dr. Hagman said. “However, long-term sick leave emerged as a more significant factor.”
Mental Health and Long-Term Consequences
While the study didn’t specifically examine the types of health issues leading to sick leave, existing research suggests a higher incidence of psychiatric conditions, such as depression, among individuals living with obesity. This may partly explain their reduced workforce participation.
Dr. Hagman emphasized the need for greater awareness of the long-term health and socio-economic consequences of childhood obesity.
Call for Early Intervention
“We know that effective treatment of obesity in childhood can reduce long-term risks for conditions like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and even premature mortality,” Dr. Hagman said. “Future research should explore whether these treatments also improve employment and education outcomes.”
Conclusion
This study underscores the far-reaching impact of childhood obesity beyond immediate health concerns, affecting education, employment, and quality of life well into adulthood. It highlights the urgent need for comprehensive early interventions and policies that address both the medical and social determinants of obesity.
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