Economic Impact of Obesity

Elena A Spieker; Natasha Pyzocha

doi:10.1016/j.pop.2015.08.013

Economic Impact of Obesity

Prim Care. 2016 Mar;43(1):83-95, viii-ix. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2015.08.013. Epub 2016 Jan 12.

Authors

Elena A Spieker¹, Natasha Pyzocha²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Family Medicine, Madigan Army Medical Center, 9040 Fitzsimmons Avenue, Fort Lewis, WA 98431, USA; Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. Electronic address: eas2612@gmail.com.
² Department of Family Medicine, Madigan Army Medical Center, 9040 Fitzsimmons Avenue, Fort Lewis, WA 98431, USA.

PMID: 26896202
DOI: 10.1016/j.pop.2015.08.013

Abstract

Parallel to rising obesity rates is an increase in costs associated with excess weight. Estimates of future direct (medical) and indirect (nonmedical) costs related to obesity suggest rising expenditures that will impose a significant economic burden to individuals and society as a whole. This article reviews research on direct and indirect medical costs and future economic trends associated with obesity and associated comorbidities. Cost disparities associated with subsets of the population experiencing higher than average rates of obesity are explored. Finally, potential solutions with the highest estimated impact are offered, and future directions are proposed.

Keywords: Burden; Cost; Economic cost; Economic impact; Obesity; Prevention; Primary care; United States.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Advertising
Age Factors
Comorbidity
Cost of Illness
Diet
Food Labeling
Health Expenditures
Humans
Obesity / economics*
Obesity / epidemiology*
Primary Health Care*
Taxes
United States / epidemiology