Bariatrics

The True Costs of Obesity

What does it cost in dollars to be severely overweight?

What does it cost in health?

In medication bills?

In food bills?

In daily function and work capacity?

In relationships with family and spouse?

What does it cost society?

This is a hot topic for health officials in the state of Texas since recent statistics show that Texas exceeds the national average for obesity. Almost 25 percent of Texan adults are obese and almost 40 percent of Texan fourth graders are either overweight or at risk for it.

The total cost attributable to obesity amounted to $99.2 billion in 1995. The cost of obesity to US business in 1994 was estimated to total $12.7 billion (Obesity Research 1998;6(2):97-106, American Journal of Health Promotion 1998;13(2):120-127

The health consequences of being overweight are overwhelming. They include increased diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, reflux, degenerative arthritis, stress incontinence, certain cancers, gallbladder disease, and other chronic conditions. State officials worry that health care costs will be equally enormous unless the current trends toward obesity change.

Recent studies have sought to estimate prescription medication costs due to obesity. One study showed that obese individuals under age 65 spent 36 percent more for medications than people of normal weight. Insurance companies frequently dig in their heels when it comes to covering medical weight loss treatment or obesity surgery. However, various studies show that patients who undergo weight loss treatment have significantly reduced direct health-care costs. As BMI increases, so do the number of sick days, medical claims and health care costs. The mean annual health care costs for the BMI "at risk" population was $2,274 versus $1,499 for the "not at risk" group (Statistical Bulletin of the Metropolitan Insurance Co. 1999 Jul-Sep;80).

So what about the personal price of being overweight? This is not often addressed by governmental agencies. But it is the part that matters most to our patients. Many tell time and time again of their discovery of a new life following weight loss treatment. We frequently talk about the things we lose with weight loss-embarrassment, clothing size, a breathing machine, various illnesses, medications, desperation, depression, guilt, shame, pain, limitations, and an old life.

So what do we gain from weight loss treatment? Patients mention respect from other people, free time, energy, freedom, and some even regain their family. It's hard to put a price on a health.