By the numbers: More than 72 million U.S. adults are obese.
Those who are obese have medical costs of $1,429 more than those who are of normal weight (2008).
$147 billion: The medical care costs of obesity in the United States in 2008.
Economic consequences: Overweight and obesity and their associated health problems have a significant economic impact on the U.S. health care system. Medical costs associated with overweight and obesity may involve direct and indirect costs. Direct medical costs may include preventive, diagnostic and treatment services related to obesity. Indirect costs relate to morbidity and mortality costs. Morbidity costs are defined as the value of income lost from decreased productivity, restricted activity, absenteeism and bed days. Mortality costs are the value of future income lost from premature death.
Health consequences: As weight increases to reach overweight and obese classifications, the risks increases for the following:
- Coronary heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cancers (endometrial, breast, colon)
- Hypertension
- Dyslipidemia
- Stroke
- Liver and gallblader disease
- Sleep apnea and repiratory problems
- Osteoarthritis
- Gynecological problems
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