Does Weight Gain Makes Elderly More Vulnerable in Labour Market

Abstract

Obesity significantly contributes to morbidity burden as compared to other nutritional deficiencies. However, beyond its health implications obesity is closely linked to economic and labour market repercussions, especially in informal labour market where the costs can be manifold. Therefore, to investigate the obesity related risk factors and burden associated with it, we analysed the impact of obesity on India’s elderly labour market given its expanding size and predominantly informal in nature using the latest round of LASI data on older adults. By employing marginal effects to study the difference in probabilities and population attributed risk to measure the burden associated with obesity. Our results showed some considerable impact of obesity on both work status and health burden associated with obesity among non-working older adults in India. Therefore strong policy measures are required to lower this obesity burden and minimise its associated health risks in India.