Workers with sleep apnea may take more sick leave

Kudos, fatsos.

"People with sleep apnea may be at increased risk of needing an extended sick leave from work or going on permanent work disability, a new study suggests.

Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, occurs when the soft tissues at the back of the throat temporarily collapse during sleep, causing repeated breathing interruptions. Major symptoms include loud snoring and daytime sleepiness -- the latter of which, studies show, may cause irritability, cloud thinking and concentration, or increase the risk of traffic accidents.

The extent to which OSA interferes with a person's ability to work has not been clear. But the new study, published in the European Respiratory Journal, suggests that the disorder can exact a large toll at work.

Norwegian researchers found that of more than 7,000 workers followed for four years, those with symptoms of OSA were nearly two thirds more likely to take a sick leave of more than eight weeks. They were also about twice as likely to go on permanent work disability."

And who gets OSA?

Fat folk!

"A much higher percentage of obese people suffer from interrupted breathing while sleeping than people of normal weight."

Add this to the already additional costs fat people cost businesses and the way to proceed is clear:

Don't hire them in the first place.