A new report, Obesity’s Impact on Indiana’s Economy and Labor Force, was released this month by GlobalData, a data and analytics company, finding that obesity reduces economic activity in Indiana by $9.3 billion. Obesity also has a $966 million detrimental impact to the state’s budget. The underlying report was supported by Eli Lilly and Company.

The statistics shared in the report should be striking for Hoosiers, Indiana employers and state policymakers. Furthermore, it reveals obesity results in an over $2 billion impact, factoring in higher health care costs, absenteeism and disability costs to employers and a 2% reduction in Indiana’s gross domestic product. Reduced workforce participation rates continue to be a problem in Indiana and obesity impacts that as well. Nearly 70,000 fewer obese adults are currently working.

The report also contends that if adults under 65 lose 5%-25% of bodyweight over 10 years, it has the potential to save $8 billion in medical costs. Further, the report also has recommendations to improve access to obesity treatment from both national and state sources.

In the recently released Indiana Prosperity 2035 plan, the Chamber looks to tackle Indiana’s abysmal health metrics. One important goal noted in Indiana Prosperity 2035 is reducing obesity levels to less than 20% of the state’s population. The aforementioned statistics showing the financial impact of obesity on Indiana businesses only reaffirm the importance of this goal.

Ashton Eller is the Indiana Chamber’s vice president of health care and employment law. For the prior 14 years, Eller worked at the organization in other roles – the last five as manager of political affairs. Previously, he spent two years at the Indiana Department of Labor. Eller also is a former president and member of the Indiana State Fair Board of Directors, elected from District 7.