Obese Americans have smaller paychecks than those who aren't overweight, according to researchers from George Washington University. And the difference is particularly prominent in women.
The analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth revealed that in 2004, overall average annual incomes were $8,666 less for obese women and $4,772 less for obese men compared with normal weight workers.
In 2008, obese women made an average of $5,826 (15 percent) less than normal-weight females, university researchers said.
Recommended For You
"This research broadens the growing body of evidence that shows that in addition to taxing health, obesity significantly affects personal finances," says Christine Ferguson, a professor in the department of health policy. "It also reinforces how prevalent stigma is when it comes to weight-related health issues."
Additionally, the research shows there are significant differences in wages dependent upon race. In 2004, Hispanic women who were obese earned $6,618 less than those who were normal weight. In 2008, the differential doubled for Hispanic men who were obese to earnings of $8,394 less than normal weight counterparts, while for women the gap narrowed slightly.
In both 2004 and 2008, wages for black men who were obese were higher than their normal weight counterparts, while for black women, wages were similar between those who were obese and those who were normal weight.
Last year, George Washington University researchers found that the average annual costs of being obese were $4,879 for a woman and $2,646 for a man. Those figures include indirect costs such as lost productivity and direct expenses such as obesity-related medical care.
© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
