Obesity Adds Thousands to the Annual Medical Expenses of an Adult
Over the course of a decade, an adult with obesity averages $4280 per year in extra medical expenses compared with an adult at normal weight, according to a new study in the online Journal of Medical Economics.
Researchers came to their findings by using a microsimulation model to calculate the health and economic outcomes of obesity over a 10-year period. Compared with normal-weight adults, adults who were obese averaged $3900 more in medical expenses in the first year of the study period. By the 10th year, the average additional medical expenses grew to $4600. The higher the obesity category, the higher the additional annual expenses, researchers reported. Patients in the first obesity category garnered, on average, an additional $2820 in annual costs; the second category, $5100, and the highest obesity category, $8710.
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Each kilogram of excess weight an adult with obesity carried, additional annual costs grew an average $140, the study found. Not surprisingly, the researchers found the presence of comorbidities was higher among adults with obesity than among those of normal weight—both at the study’s onset and as the adults aged.
Beyond immediate medical expenses, obesity proved costly in other areas, as well.
“Poor health associated with obesity increased work absenteeism and mortality and lowered employment probability, personal income, and quality of life,” researchers said.—Jolynn Tumolo
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