Nutrition Guidelines

Weight

Body Weight and Medical Care Costs

Excess body weight
increases medical care expenses from $500 to
$1,500 per year.

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on this study

Most companies today are looking for ways to cut their medical care expenses. General Motors in conjunction with the University of Michigan, looked at their employees weights and health care expenses over a two year period. They found that as weight went up so did medical care expenses.

People in the healthy weight range (BMI of 18.5-24.9) had the lowest medical care expenses. Obese persons (BMI 30 to 40+) had medical care expenses of $576 to $1528 more on the average. Under weight individual also had higher medical claims, nearly $1000 more per person per year¹.

The increase in overweight individuals is adding to our rapidly rising health care expenses. The U.S. Surgeon General recently estimated the economic costs of obesity in the U.S. to be about $17 billion per year! Helping people maintain a healthy weight (or prevent overweight) is an effective way of helping reduce health care expenses in any organization.

Weight

References

References

Top

1. Wang F, et al. The relationship between NHLBI weight guidelines and concurrent medical costs, American Journal of Health Promotion Jan-Feb 2003; 17:183-9

Making Healthy Choices articles are written by Don Hall, DrPH, CHES president of LifeLong Health with contributions from associated health professionals. Content is general health information from evidence based research. It's purpose is not to treat disease or take the place of advice by your doctor but to promote healthy lifestyles. Persons with health problems should contact their physician for specific guidance.

Updated: 2-27-03 DRH