By George Anderson
Companies including Pepsico and General Mills have joined in a campaign to get overweight employees to shed some pounds, according to a report in The New York Times.
The companies estimate weight-related costs add approximately $12 billion a year to employer expenses in the form of medical costs, insurance premiums, absenteeism and productivity.
Dr. Vince Kerr, director of health care management, Ford Motor Company said, "Obesity is becoming as large a factor as tobacco once was."
Moderator's Comment: How big a drag on profits do you believe obesity is to retail operators? Should retailers be allowed to require employees to meet physical standards for employment? [George Anderson - Moderator]