Published: Thursday, July 9, 2009
Obese people drive up U.S. health costs
Spending on health care for obese American adults increased 82 percent between 2001 and 2006, according to a new government report compiled by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
In 2001, expenditures for obese Americans totaled $167 billion compared with $303 billion in 2006. Costs for adults who were overweight rose 36 percent during that time period while costs for normal-weight adults increased 25 percent.
Health-care expenditures for obese Americans accounted for 35 percent of all costs in 2006, the report noted. During the years of 2001 to 2006, the number of obese Americans increased from 48 million to 59 million people. Obese people are much more likely to suffer from chronic health conditions.
In 2001, expenditures for obese Americans totaled $167 billion compared with $303 billion in 2006. Costs for adults who were overweight rose 36 percent during that time period while costs for normal-weight adults increased 25 percent.
Health-care expenditures for obese Americans accounted for 35 percent of all costs in 2006, the report noted. During the years of 2001 to 2006, the number of obese Americans increased from 48 million to 59 million people. Obese people are much more likely to suffer from chronic health conditions.
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