Transforming Workplace Health: Calibrate Results Demonstrate the Significance of a BMI of <25

Medically reviewed by: Kristin Baier, MD

Obesity Week 2024 brought together leading voices in obesity treatment and research. Calibrate led an insightful presentation showcasing new findings from our latest research, highlighting how our program helps members achieve a healthy BMI of less than 25—an important benchmark for reducing metabolic health risks.

These findings reinforce Calibrate’s leadership position in delivering sustainable weight loss solutions and measurable business outcomes. The Calibrate program, centered around intensive lifestyle interventions (ILI), delivers outcomes that not only enhance individual health but also drive measurable improvements in organizational productivity, employee engagement, and healthcare cost reduction. 

Read on for a preview of the report findings and to learn how Calibrate is reshaping workplace health.

Discover Calibrate for Employers

The challenge of obesity in the workforce

Obesity, classified as a chronic disease by the World Health Organization and the American Medical Association, is an issue that has faced US healthcare and economic systems for decades. We know that obesity is not necessarily due to an individual's fault, and is the result of complex biological, environmental, and societal factors. We also know that this chronic disease does present challenges to our employers and the workplace.In fact, research has demonstrated a significant correlation between obesity and two key workplace productivity indicators: absenteeism and presenteeism. Absenteeism refers to employees missing work due to health issues, while presenteeism describes reduced productivity when employees are at work but limited by health-related challenges.

A 2008 study found that workers with a BMI of 35 or higher (moderate or extreme obesity) report greater difficulties in performing physical tasks and completing work on time compared to their peers with lower BMIs. 

A different study, published in 2021, estimated annual productivity losses due to obesity ranged from $271 to $542 per employee with obesity. At the national level, estimated productivity losses for 2016 ranged from $13.4 to $26.8 billion.

What is a healthy BMI? The significance of the <25 BMI benchmark

While Body Mass Index (BMI) is known to be an imperfect metric and has its limitations, it continues to be the basis for diagnosis of overweight and obesity—and it does correlate with cardiometabolic disease. 

According to a 2015 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, elevated BMI was associated with 4.0 million deaths worldwide, nearly 40% of which occurred in individuals who were not classified as obese. Over two-thirds of these deaths were attributed to cardiovascular disease. 

Furthermore, employers, health plans, and health systems frequently use BMI to assess health risks, and it’s an important metric when it comes to healthcare cost management: individuals with higher BMIs are statistically more prone to health challenges that can escalate medical expenses.

Thus, achieving a BMI of less than 25—an indicator of reduced metabolic risk—has substantial implications not only for public health but for US healthcare costs. By achieving this benchmark, chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are mitigated, leading to fewer claims and lower overall expenses. 

Employee weight loss programs: A modern approach

If the broad goal post for improved productivity and health outcomes among employees is a BMI of less than 25, how can employers achieve such significant reductions—a 29% decrease, if applying a starting BMI of 35—with a solution that scales across diverse populations? 

The answer is a combination of education, affordable medical intervention, and personalized support. 

The interplay of medication and lifestyle intervention

GLP-1 receptor agonist medications, originally developed for managing diabetes, have emerged as groundbreaking treatments for weight loss, producing results once thought possible only through bariatric surgery. Well-known examples include Ozempic® (semaglutide), Wegovy® (semaglutide), and Mounjaro® (tirzepatide). 

GLP-1 medications mimic the action of glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone that plays a key role in glucose metabolism and appetite regulation. By enhancing insulin secretion, delaying gastric emptying, and promoting satiety, these medications help reduce food intake and improve glycemic control.

However, many programs that offer GLP-1s alone fail to emphasize the importance of education, ongoing support, and non-prescription interventions in order to sustain the weight loss achieved while taking the medication. In many cases, individuals who were not well-informed about lifestyle interventions regain much of the weight they lost upon stopping GLP-1 treatment. 

This is where Calibrate is uniquely positioned to produce consistent, scalable results: The program is centered on a science-backed curriculum that guides members through a series of milestones. Supported by an accountability coach and clinical team, members gradually make changes to their food, sleep, exercise, and emotional health routines that set the stage for lifelong health awareness. 

Key outcomes highlighted in the report 

Our latest research underscores the success of the multifaceted approach outlined above—as well as the significance of the BMI 25 benchmark: 

At 12 months, the average weight loss for the BMI <25 group was 24.2%. For those in this group who continued into a second program year, weight loss was 23.5% at 15 mo, 21.6% at 18 mo, and at 24 mo, the average weight loss for the BMI <25 group was 19.8%. 

In addition, the following results were noted:

1. BMI achievement: 13.5% of members reached a BMI below 25 within 12 months
2. Waist reduction: Members reduced waist circumference by 7.64 inches on average
3. Improved metrics: Significant improvements in key metabolic markers, including LDL cholesterol and inflammation levels

Stay tuned for more detail in our full-length 2025 results report, coming soon. 

The Calibrate advantage: Validated ROI for employers

Employers partnering with Calibrate report tangible savings as healthier employees require fewer medical interventions and exhibit improved overall health​​. In fact, Calibrate delivers a validated return on investment (ROI) of up to 3:1, driven by medication optimization, significant BMI reductions, and sustained health outcomes. 

By combining GLP-1s with intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI), we ensure that medication costs are controlled while producing long-lasting results. Additionally, our approach reduces dependency on medications over time through tapering protocols, further optimizing employer healthcare budgets​​.

The impact of our program extends beyond statistics. Employers like Brookfield Asset Management have seen transformative results, with employees achieving an average weight loss of 16.1% in 12 months and maintaining high satisfaction rates. Members have collectively lost over 5,400 pounds, underscoring our effectiveness as a scalable solution for employee health​.

A proven model for the future of workplace health

Achieving a sub-25 BMI represents more than a change in outward appearances—it’s a critical milestone linked to significant reductions in metabolic risk factors and improvements in overall health. 

As our latest research shows, helping employees reach this benchmark not only transforms individual well-being but also delivers measurable benefits to employers, including enhanced productivity, reduced absenteeism, and substantial cost savings. 

Calibrate has treated over 60,000 members. Our program stands out for its robust clinical foundation, focus on sustainable lifestyle interventions, and seamless integration with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). We offer employers a practical and scalable model to enhance employee health while driving significant cost savings​​.

By prioritizing evidence-based programs, businesses can create a healthier, more resilient workforce while addressing one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time. Investing in solutions that support sustainable weight loss isn’t just good for employees—it’s a strategic decision that drives organizational success.

Ready to take the next step in transforming workplace health? Schedule a meeting today. 

Sources cited:

1. Khan, S. S., Ning, H., Wilkins, J. T., Allen, N., Carnethon, M., Berry, J. D., Sweis, R. N., & Lloyd-Jones, D. M. (2018). Association of body mass index with lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease and compression of morbidity. JAMA Cardiology, 3(4), 280–287. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamacardio.2018.0022 
2. Gates, D. M., Succop, P., Brehm, B. J., Gillespie, G. L., & Sommers, B. D. (2008). Obesity and presenteeism: The impact of body mass index on workplace productivity. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 50(1), 39–45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-016-0227-6 
3. Shrestha, N., Pedisic, Z., Neil-Sztramko, S., Kukkonen-Harjula, K. T., & Hermans, V. (2016). The impact of obesity in the workplace: A review of contributing factors, consequences, and potential solutions. Current Obesity Reports, 5(4), 344–360. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0b013e31815d8db2  
4. American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. (2021, July 11). Obesity has causal impact on job absenteeism and related costs. ACOEM Press Center. https://acoem.org/Press-Center/Obesity-Has-Causal-Impact-on-Job-Absenteeism-and-Related-Costs
5. Farhana, A., & Rehman, A. (2023). Metabolic consequences of weight reduction. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK572145/
6. The GBD 2015 Obesity Collaborators. (2017). Health effects of overweight and obesity in 195 countries over 25 years. The New England Journal of Medicine, 377(1), 13–27. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1614362