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Cost of obesity

Cost of obesity

Being Overweight Highly Unbalances the Budget

Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in the world. The worst part it is that the costs of obesity increase faster than Obesity. According to a study conducted in the United States, the rate of obese individuals was less than 20% in 1998, while the obesity-related costs were $ 78 billion. In 2008, more than one-third of the American population was obese and the total cost of obesity was $ 147 billion. In conclusion, according to estimates, half of the American population will be obese, and the obesity-related costs will be $ 190 billion by 2019.

Medical Cost of Obesity

The costs caused by obesity are innumerable but I will give a few examples of medical costs of obesity below.

Overweight individual:

  • Costs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes: Medicine and examination fee
  • For balancing the blood pressure and cholesterol levels: drug and surgery costs
  • For the treatment of sleep apnea: special devices, drug and surgery costs
  • For the treatment of joint disorders: special shoes, special clothes, drug and surgery costs

Non-Medical Cost of Obesity

We all know the medical costs of obesity. But you will be surprised when you learn the fact that the main costs are the non-medical costs. These costs can include many things from the inefficiency in your working life to an unexpected accident. In a study conducted in the United States again, overweight individuals were found to be less efficient at work. The researchers observed that compared to normal weight individuals, obese individuals took 7 more sick days per year, and that the proportion increased up to 10 days among women. In addition, it was ascertained that they felt more tired due to their sleep apnea and excess weight, in the days when they worked. The result of the research showed that an obese employee costed 1,000 to 1,200 dollars to the company.

Besides these:

  • If he flies by plane, he has to choose business class because he cannot fly with economy class due to his excess weight.
  • If he goes by bus, he has to buy an extra seat.
  • Since normal clothes are not compatible, he buys special clothes.
  • His furniture wears off more frequently.
  • He needs to take a taxi because he cannot walk too much.
  • Since he gets hungry frequently, his food and kitchen expenses will be higher.
  • Because he cannot be satiated with a single portion, he needs to buy double portion…

The examples given above are only material examples. It goes without saying that there is also moral, psychological and spiritual wear and tear. You’d better take a step to get rid of obesity.