It is tempting to offer weight-loss injections to unemployed people to help them return to work, but the reasons for this are complex, and require a coordinated approach. Karl Bennett and Tracey paxton write.
The idea that could give weight-loss injections for unemployed people to help them get back to work is both fascinating and controversial.
Weight-loss medication could have significant economic and health benefits. However, this proposal raises questions about fairness and cost. It also asks whether it addresses the root causes behind obesity and unemployment.
In the end, any solution for these intertwined problems would need to be multifaceted, combining both medical interventions and broader economic and social reforms.
The rise in popularity of weight loss medications like semaglutide, sold under the names Wegovy and Ozempic, has sparked a lot of debate.
These drugs were originally developed to treat diabetes. However, they have shown promising results when it comes to weight loss. This has sparked discussions on their possible use in wider societal contexts. Unemployed obese people could be given weight loss injections to return to work. This idea is gaining popularity.
The proposal is complicated and involves public health, economic and ethical concerns.
Obesity and employment: A connection?
Obesity is a global problem that affects a large portion of the population. It’s often associated with various health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease and musculoskeletal problems.
“Employers may favour candidates who have a lower BMI due to stereotypes which link weight and work ethic, energy, and physical ability.”
We know that these conditions can make it difficult for people to work, especially in physically demanding jobs, and they may also contribute to long-term unemployment.
Obesity is linked to higher absenteeism, and lower productivity. This phenomenon is sometimes called presenteeism, when employees are present, but less productive due to health problems.
People with obesity are also stigmatized and discriminated against on the job market, which makes it even more difficult for them to return to work.
Employers can, consciously and unconsciously, favor candidates with a lower body mass index (BMI), due to stereotypes linking weight with energy, work ethic, and physical ability.
Weight-loss injections could help many overcome these obstacles.
Alternatives to the Traditional Approach
A more comprehensive approach may be required if the goal is to decrease obesity and increase employment.
Governments can invest in prevention of healthcare by ensuring people have access affordable food that is nutritious and physical activity opportunities.
Employment programmes can also provide training and education that will help people move into jobs with less physical demands, thus bypassing the requirement for weight loss to be a pre-requisite for employment.
A stronger anti-discrimination law could also be implemented to ensure that obese people are not treated unfairly in the hiring process.
Support for mental health, especially among those who are long-term jobless, can also be crucial in addressing psychological barriers to unemployment and obesity.
