Annual Cost of Obesity: $300 Billion
The total economic cost of obesity in the U.S. and Canada is approaching $300 billion annually, according to a recent study. The study, published by the Society of Actuaries, a risk-management research organization, found that the United States is responsible for 90 percent–or roughly $270 billion–of that total.
The study takes into account the increased medical costs and loss of economic productivity (including medical disability) directly related to excess weight and obesity.
The figure breaks down as follows:
- Increased medical costs directly related to obesity, $127 billion
- Loss of economic productivity related to obesity, $49 billion
- Cost of totally disability workers, $72 billion
- Cost of obesity-related disability for active workers, $43 billion
If you are overweight or obese, consider shopping for a health insurance policy. It will provide you with easy and affordable access to dietitians and other weight-loss specialists to help you get into shape.