Medical charges increase with increasing BMI
Association of additional health risks on medical charges and prevalence of diabetes within body mass index categories. Musich S, Lu C, McDonald T, Campagne LJ, Edington DW. Am J Heath Promot. 2004. 18: 264-268.
Aim
To quantify the impact of health risks and body mass index (BMI) on medical expenses.
Looked at
38,841 US-based employees of General Motors Corporation who were enrolled in a medical plan.
How?
- Data from health risk appraisals were collected and merged with medical claims records from 1996 to 2000.
- Individuals were classified according to their BMI and how many of the following 12 risk factors they had: physical activity, stress, life satisfaction, perception of health, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, high-density cholesterol levels, smoking, alcohol use, seat belt use, personal illness days, and medical conditions.
Results
Average medical claims between 1996 and 2000 (US$)
|
BMI (kg/m2) |
0 additional risk factors claims ($) |
4 or more additional risk factors claims($) |
|
<18.5 |
2,689 |
7,579 |
|
18.5-24.9 |
2,655 |
6,555 |
|
25-29.9 |
3,239 |
7,118 |
|
30-34.9 |
3,579 |
7,758 |
|
≥35 |
4,151 |
8,075 |
What does this mean?
With or without other risks factors, medical charges increased significantly with incremental BMI. Reducing health risks within any BMI category could likely lead to medical cost savings.