The Individual-Level Productivity Costs of Physical Inactivity

Abstract

Purpose: This study estimated the long-term individual-level productivity costs of physical inactivity. Methods: The data were drawn from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966, to which the productivity cost variables (sick leaves and disability pensions) from Finnish registries were linked. Individuals (N = 6261) were categorized into physical activity groups based on their level of physical activity, which was measured in three ways: 1) self-reported leisure-time moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) at 46 yr old, 2) longitudinal self-reported leisure-time MVPA at 31-46 yr old, and 3) accelerometer-measured overall MVPA at 46 yr old. The human capital approach was applied to calculate the observed costs (years 2012-2020) and the expected costs (years 2012-2031). Results: The results showed that the average individual-level productivity costs were higher among physically inactive compared with the costs among physically active. The results were consistent regardless of the measurement type of physical activity or the period used. On average, the observed long-term productivity costs among physically inactive individuals were €1900 higher based on self-reported MVPA, €1800 higher based on longitudinal MVPA, and €4300 higher based on accelerometer-measured MVPA compared with the corresponding productivity costs among physically active individuals. The corresponding difference in the expected costs was €2800, €1200, and €8700, respectively. Conclusions: The results provide evidence that productivity costs differ according to an individual's level of physical activity. Therefore, investments in physical activity may decrease not only the direct healthcare costs but also the indirect productivity costs paid by the employee, the employer, and the government.

Association of accelerometer‐measured physical activity and midlife income: A Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study

“…In a previous study of the NFBC1966, the costs of sick leaves lasting 11 days or longer and disability pensions from 2012 to 2020 were reported to be significantly higher among the physically inactive than the physically active. 35 This report supports our explanation of reduced sickness as the potential mechanism between PA and income benefits. However, the maximal mortality T A B E 3 Sex-specific association between accelerometer-measured PA with different intensity levels at age 46 and income at age 50 according to the polynomial regression analyses.…”

“…It would be rationalized that the PA–income association might be mediated via health 4 and the ability to work 14,15 benefits of PA. In a previous study of the NFBC1966, the costs of sick leaves lasting 11 days or longer and disability pensions from 2012 to 2020 were reported to be significantly higher among the physically inactive than the physically active 35 . This report supports our explanation of reduced sickness as the potential mechanism between PA and income benefits.…”