A Study of Obesity and Financial Stress in Workers in the United States: Findings from the NHIS 2021

Purpose: This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between indicators of workplace financial stress and obesity among working adults. Methods: Respondents were sampled from the 2021 National Health Interview Survey. Adults were included if they worked in the last week were between 18 to 65 years ( n  = 14, 976). A multivariable model predicted having obesity using the following the independent variables: working full time, defined as working 35 hours per week or more, working while sick, perceived likelihood of job loss, food insecurity and sociodemographic characteristics. The multivariable model was based on bivariate analyses comparing these variables, and serious psychological distress to having obesity and the number of chronic health conditions. Results: At the bivariate level 6.5% of full-time workers had food insecurity, and 9.1% perceived they were fairly likely or somewhat likely to lose their job and 45% had serious psychological distress. In a multivariable model, there was a positive association between obesity and full-time employment (AOR = 1.5 CI = 1.3, 1.7), workers perceptions of being fairly or somewhat likely to lose their job (AOR = 1.2 CI = 1.0, 1.4), and obesity and food insecurity (AOR = 1.2 CI = 1.0, 1.4) after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Conclusions: The relationship between having obesity and working full time, serious psychological distress, perceptions about job loss and food insecurity suggests that employment may be stressful. Despite working full time, many adults experienced food insecurity. Suggestions for increasing the safety net for workers to protect against financial and work instability are discussed.