Key findings from the study

The study highlights several critical insights into the challenges facing individuals with obesity, including:

• Nearly 13% of members were at high risk for unmet social needs, including food insecurity, transportation challenges, and housing instability. These risks intensify as body mass index (BMI) increases, creating a vicious cycle where obesity exacerbates social challenges, and social challenges hinder access to care.

• Half of individuals with obesity experience at least one related condition — such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol — highlighting the need for early, proactive interventions to manage obesity directly before complications arise.
• Although 32% of U.S. employers offer weight management programs, only 13% of employees are aware of these options, and fewer than 10% participate. Lack of communication and outreach contributes to low engagement, and participation rates vary widely across demographic groups, creating disparities in access and utilization.
• Disparities in care are closely tied to income, race, and geography. Many individuals encounter barriers to care and may have limited access to employer-sponsored resources. Tailored approaches are needed to ensure equitable access to care.

These findings emphasize the need for targeted strategies that address the medical, social, and systemic barriers to obesity care while improving awareness and engagement.

3 ways employers can help address health disparities in obesity care

Employers can help reduce health disparities for individuals with obesity by:

Parting thoughts

A holistic approach — combining medical care, social support, and increased program education — can help employers reduce disparities in obesity care. This investment supports a healthier, more productive workforce while lowering medical costs and fostering long-term organizational success.

*Advisory Board is a subsidiary of Optum, a division of UnitedHealth Group. All Advisory Board research, expert perspectives, and recommendations remain independent.

Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company that's been making innovative medicines to help people with diabetes lead longer, healthier lives for more than 100 years. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to drive change to help people defeat other serious chronic diseases such as obesity, rare blood, and endocrine disorders. We remain steadfast in our conviction that the formula for lasting success is to stay focused, think long-term, and do business in a financially, socially, and environmentally responsible way. With U.S. headquarters in New Jersey and commercial, production and research facilities in seven states plus Washington DC, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 8,000 people throughout the country. For more information, visit novonordisk-us.com, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

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