How to Combat Its Toll on Your Finances & Health
The Cost of Obesity
Quality Verified
Updated: February 1, 2024
Quality Verified
Updated: February 1, 2024
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I don't have time to exercise. Eating healthy is too expensive. Fast food is convenient. If you haven't said one of those lines yourself before, chances are you've heard others say it. Obesity continues to be an epidemic in the U.S.- one that leads not only to costly physical and emotional consequences, but financial setbacks as well. In fact, according to a study published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information in 2017, obesity-related problems have added an additional $190 billion annually to medical costs. But things don't have to be that way. Get the facts on the cost of obesity, as well as expert advice on how to lose weight and keep it off through healthier habits.
The Costly Consequences of Obesity
Most people are familiar with some of the ways obesity can affect your health, but few think about the impact it has on finances. Find out more about the little-known ways in which it can affect your bank account.
Economic Costs
Health Risks
Obesity can lead to a number of health issues. Find out what role obesity plays in some of the most common risks.
Overweight vs. Obese: What's the Difference?
The number on the scale only tells part of the story when it comes to obesity. Obesity is the condition of having excess body fat. This is determined by measuring body mass index (BMI), which refers to the ratio between your weight and your height. Based on BMI, people are categorized in the following ways:
What Are the Causes of Obesity?
Obesity is not just about overeating. A perfect storm of physical, social and lifestyle changes have contributed to the epidemic of extreme weight gain over the past two decades or so. In addition, factors like aging and emotional eating also play a role. Here are some of the most common reasons people are getting fatter.
Although obesity can be a problem at any age, aging can increase the likelihood of obesity. You tend to lose muscle as you age, which slows down the body's metabolism and contributes to weight gain unless you adjust your eating and exercise habits. Also, after women go through menopause, hormonal changes in the body contribute to increased belly fat.
Americans have an unhealthy diet that includes large portions of high fructose corn syrup, refined grains, unhealthy fats and red meat. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, studies show that Americans also fail to incorporate enough fruits, nuts, whole grains and vegetables into their daily diets. In fact, only one in 10 Americans consumes enough fruits and vegetables, according to a recent CDC report.
Since the 1950s, the average size of restaurant meals has quadrupled, notes the American Heart Association, making portion control more difficult. In addition, AHA data over the same time period shows there has been an exponential increase in the size of sugary drinks that are served with meals—climbing from 7 ounces to 42 ounces. The easy availability of fast food restaurants and processed foods add up to an abundance of bad choices that can increase weight gain and fat.
Emotional eating is how some people respond to being depressed, stressed out, angry or even bored. Emotional eating also often takes places late at night, when the body is more likely to store fat and calories rather than burn them as energy.
Some people live in environments that make it more difficult to live a healthy lifestyle. People in poorer neighborhoods often lack neighborhood supermarkets that sell unprocessed foods, fresh fruits and fresh vegetables or, if they do, these items are usually too expensive. Similarly, some neighborhoods don't have safe, free places to exercise—like parks and trails—or affordable gyms, making it difficult to remain active.
Genes can influence how body fat is stored and distributed, as well as how your body burns calories. As a result, obesity may run in families.
A recent study in BMC Public Health found that 83 million Americans are more sedentary than ever before. Just how sedentary is suggested by another study from Common Sense Media, which found U.S. teens spend nine hours a day on media devices. Another favorite pastime, watching television, contributes to obesity because it not only keeps people in couch potato mode, it also exposes them to advertisements for unhealthy foods. Kids see an average of 4,000 such ads a year, according to the Prevention Institute, adding that those bombarded with ads for high-calorie snacks, soft drinks and fast food ate 45 percent more food than kids who didn't see the ads.
Certain medications are known to be associated with weight gain, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, corticosteroids, beta blockers and medications used to treat diabetes and seizures.
Obesity can also be caused by certain medical conditions like Cushing's syndrome, hypothyroidism and polycystic ovarian syndrome.
All women gain weight during pregnancy to support their babies, but some women have difficulty taking this weight off—which can lead to obesity.
Lack of sleep may contribute to weight gain - a particular problem because a third of Americans don't get enough sleep, according to the CDC. Lack of sleep causes hormonal imbalances that affect the way people respond to insulin, as well as their ability to feel full. Sleep deprivation is also associated with cravings for high-calorie foods.
Childhood Obesity
According to Philip Caravella, MD, former chief of family medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, childhood obesity is the most dangerous and common problem facing at least twenty percent of all children. Statistics from the CDC show that 13.7 million children and adolescents are obese. It's not unusual for children to carry a little bit of baby weight during their development; however, if a child's BMI falls in the 95th percentile or greater for children or teens of the same age group, he or she is considered obese. As with adults, childhood obesity can harm both physical and emotional health. Below are a few common questions regarding childhood obesity and some insight from Dr. Caravella.
What causes childhood obesity?
Many causes of childhood obesity mirror those of adult obesity -genetics, lifestyle, and the surrounding environment can all have an impact.
What are the consequences of childhood obesity?
Much like adult obesity, childhood obesity can lead to several physical health problems, including type 2 diabetes, asthma, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure and early puberty or menstruation. There are also emotional and social consequences, including depression, learning problems and low self-esteem. Obese children are also likely to suffer from longer and more severe consequences than adults, and are more likely to be obese as adults.
What can parents do?
Caravella points out that parents can have a significant and positive impact early on. "Parents must set the example by exercising daily and stopping the purchase of processed foods - high sugar cereals, pastries, sugar-laden soft drinks (these are the worst), candy, and the like," he says.
Many parental interventions can either prevent childhood obesity or help children who are already obese lose weight. These include:
The Obesity-Diabetes Connection
Lack of physical activity and obesity are strongly associated with the development of type 2 diabetes, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diabetes occurs when there is too much sugar in the blood, resulting from the body's inability to produce insulin or to use it efficiently. Obesity is associated with diabetes because excess weight undermines the body's ability to use insulin and control blood sugar levels.
Ways to Manage Diabetes
Although there is no cure for the disease, those with diabetes can do things to manage their symptoms and keep their weight and blood glucose levels within a healthy range. Exercise, a healthy diet and medication can help prevent or delay some of the ailments associated with diabetes, including problems that affect the heart, nerves, eyes and feet, and help people lead long and healthy lives.
Here are some of the financial costs you may want to plan for if you have diabetes. If you have diabetes, it's crucial that you find a health insurance plan that can help cover these expenses.
Obesity Fast Facts
Sources: Brookings Institution, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Lancet, World Health Organization
Obesity Prevention and Treatment
Obesity doesn't happen overnight, which means there are things you can do now to help prevent excessive, unhealthy weight gain. Even if you are currently dealing with obesity, you can still make lifestyle changes to lose weight and live a healthier life. Below are more expert tips on how to prevent and treat obesity.
Prevention
Treatment
For more in-depth strategies on healthy living, check out MoneyGeek's guide on eating and living well.
Resources on Obesity & Healthy Living
Fighting obesity can be a difficult job, but it's easier if you're armed with accurate, reliable information, have clear goals and strategies, and know where to turn when you need help. Following are some resources for additional information about obesity and ways to manage it.
American Academy of Pediatrics
AAP is dedicated to the health of all children. Its website devotes a to obesity, where families can find resources on reducing the occurrence of obesity and creating a healthier, more active lifestyle.
American Diabetes Association
This association provides information on diabetes, including how to manage the condition, current research, and recipes that promote healthy eating habits.
CDC - Overweight & Obesity
The CDC offers comprehensive information on obesity for both adults and children, from data and statistics to resources for prevention and treatment.
International Diabetes Federation
The International Diabetes Federation is an umbrella organization for 230 diabetes associations in 170 countries around the world. Its mission is to address diabetes on a global scale.
Let's Move
Created by First Lady Michelle Obama, the Let's Move! initiative focuses on combating obesity and helping children live healthier and more active lives. The website is no longer updated, but it still has information on food and nutrition as well as physical activity.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
NIDDK supports medical research in several areas, including obesity. The site's section features research on the causes and consequences of obesity and also offers resources for its prevention and treatment.
Obesity Action Coalition
In addition to up-to-date information on obesity, OAC offers several resources for support and advocacy, including state-specific resources for those living with the condition.
OSNAP
The Out of School Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative (OSNAP) is dedicated to improving the practices and policies related to food, drinks, and physical activities in programs held before and after school, as well as at summer camps. Educators and parents can find tools and resources to help make their community's programs healthy spaces for children.
Partnership for a Healthier America
PHA was founded in 2010 in conjunction with Let's Move! The nonprofit is led by health and childhood obesity advocates and works with the private sector to solve the childhood obesity crisis. This site offers information and resources to help promote awareness and help individuals make healthier choices.
PHIT America
PHIT stands for Personal Health Investment Today. This cause and campaign is dedicated to improving the health of Americans through increased physical activity and fitness. On the site, visitors can find helpful information on how to get active and/or support the cause.
The Obesity Society
TOS is a nonprofit organization that aims to expand obesity research to help prevent and treat obesity, as well as reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with it. Professionals in the field can become members to gain access to its career and education benefits, while nonmembers can take advantage of publications, news, and other resources located on the site.
The State of Obesity
The State of Obesity is a project created by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to raise awareness about obesity. Information includes annual reports, state briefs, and policy analyses.
Trust for America's Health
TFAH helps protect communities from the spread of disease, including obesity. The site offers national and state data on adult obesity, policy and advocacy materials, and the latest news coverage on the issue.
About Kenya McCullum
