High medical costs linked to overweight and obesity
The relationship between National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Weight Guidelines and concurrent medical costs in a manufacturing population. Wang F, Schultz AB, Musich S, McDonald T, Hirschland D, Edington DW. Am J Health Promot. 2003. 18: 183-189.
Aim
To explore the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and medical costs.
Looked at
177,971 employees, adult dependents and retirees of General Motors Corporation (US) who had enrolled in a health insurance plan between 1996 and 1997 and had completed one health risk appraisal (HRA) during this time.
How?
Participants were categorised by weight into six weight groups (underweight, normal, overweight, and grade I, II and III obesity).
Results
- The normal-weight group (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2) cost the least and medical costs gradually increased with increasing BMI (excluding the underweight group).
|
Normal weight (BMI 18.5- 24.9 kg/m2) |
Overweight (BMI 25- 29.9 kg/m2) |
Grade I obesity (BMI 30- 34.9 kg/m2) |
Grade II obesity (BMI 35- 39.9 kg/m2) |
Grade III obesity (BMI 40+ kg/m2) |
|
|
Annual median medical costs (US$) |
2,225 |
2,388 |
2,801 |
3,182 |
3,753 |
What does this mean?
Medical costs increase with increases in BMI. Weight management programmes could be means of avoiding medical costs associated with being overweight and obese.