The Effects of Obesity on Health Care Delivery

Amanda Velazquez; Caroline M Apovian

doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2023.03.007

The Effects of Obesity on Health Care Delivery

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2023 Jun;52(2):381-392. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2023.03.007.

Authors

Amanda Velazquez¹, Caroline M Apovian²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery, Center for Weight Management and Metabolic Health, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, 8635 West 3rd Street, West Tower, Suite 795, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
² Center for Weight Management and Wellness, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Avenue, RFB 490, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: capovian@partners.org.

PMID: 37197880
DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2023.03.007

Abstract

The rates of obesity continue to rise among adults and children in the United States; hence, it is natural that obesity is reshaping health care delivery. This is seen in numerous ways, including physiologic, physical, social, and economic impacts. This article reviews a broad range of topics, from the effects of increased adiposity on drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to the changes health care environments are making to accommodate patients with obesity. The significant social impacts of weight bias are reviewed, as are the economic consequences of the obesity epidemic. Finally, a patient case that demonstrates the effects of obesity on health care delivery is examined.

Keywords: Health care; Health delivery; Implications; Obesity.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Child
Delivery of Health Care*
Humans
Obesity* / epidemiology
United States