The Cost of Obesity in the United States

FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com

– February 18, 2011Posted in: Money

THE COST OF OBESITY IN A NUTSHELL

Obesity costs $73.1 billion dollars a year
USA’s economic cost of obesity is $270 billion
Canada’s economic cost of obesity is $30 billion
Weight discrimination has increased 66% over 10 years
Obese women earn 6% less
Obese men earn 3% less
Obesity cost nearly $6 billion in lost productivity, which is 6x as much as the cost of smoking

Via Men’s Fitness

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Tags: America, Cost, Money, Obesity, United States

About the Author

Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver. I cleared $60,000 in 18 months earning $65,000 gross/year. Now I am self-employed, and you can read more about my story here, or visit my other blog: The Everyday Minimalist.

Ellie

This is a disappointing post, FB. For starters, you're encouraging weight hate (as Eric has so politely illustrated for us). Being obese and being unhealthy are not the same thing. I also have to assume that you didn't research any of this further or you would have seen some of the criticism that's out there about these statistics.

I really recommend that you read this blog. The author is a professional dancer and Health at Every Size activist: http://danceswithfat.wordpress.com/2010/11/18/how…

Also, for the people who will immediately assume it, I'm not overweight. I'm actually below the normal BMI (which isn't indicative of anything but proportions anyway). We should be promoting health, not simple weight loss. No one should have to be subject to the prejudices of such flimsy research.

http://www.FabulouslyBroke.com FabulouslyBroke.com

I am only posting a graphic I found interesting, made no comment on and allowed people to discuss on their own.

So from now on, I should never post anything controversial to let people discuss and comment on?

How about I avoid all topics that are \”sensitive\”? Or is it that certain \”sensitive\” topics like cigarette smoking can kill you and is bad for you, should be allowed, seeing as well.. smokers don\’t have feelings?

Ellie

I wasn't saying that you shouldn't have posted it. I was saying that you presented it as reliable research when it isn't, which encourages unfounded prejudice. I have no problem with addressing "sensitive" topics as long as they are examined fairly and thoroughly.

I'm not sure how you connect someone's weight (which can be influenced by a number of factors, many of which could be beyond their control) with someone's habits (i.e., smoking). Regardless, my criticism has nothing to do with people's "feelings." It has to do with unnecessary discrimination. I'm presenting evidence that these statistics are /unreliable/ and will have a negative impact on people, like Kate below, who are perfectly capable, healthy workers. Bad research is bad research, regardless of who it's affecting.

I wrote my first comment quickly and didn't have time to read over it, so if I came across as hostile, I'm sorry. I usually love these posts. I just happened to know something about this one and I think the other side of it should be represented.

Eric – Narrow Bridge

1. I love living in the least obese state in the US, but it honestly grosses me out when I travel to other US states where there are heavy people everywhere. Seriously, take care of yourself.

2. Overlay a map of which states are historically Democrats and Republicans with this. Causation? No. Correlation. Certainly. (I am a proud Democrat)

3. If people really want to lose weight, all it takes is action. I have very little sympathy for heavy people. I decided I was unhappy with my growing stomach and changed my diet. I am down 9 pounds in two months by only changing my diet.
My recent post Ask The Readers- Wisconsin Labor Laws
Molly On Money

I live in one of the states where obesity is high and poverty is even higher. My mom is a social worker in the public schools and one of her biggest struggles is teaching parents how to feed their kids nutritiously. Soda is much cheaper than milk!
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http://www.debtdewd.com Mike P.

It amazes me at how many people are okay with being incredibly unhealthy. I have a few within my family that can't seem to do anything about it.

I think shows like "The Biggest Loser" are great because the obese people I know – think they can never lose the weight for some reason or another. Those shows illustrate that just about anybody can do if they put their mind to it.
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http://twitter.com/DebtChronicles @DebtChronicles

Your data shows the productivity and financial effects of obesity, but what it does not address is all the other stuff that is lost through obesity. Lost parent / child interaction because they don't have the energy or motivation to do physical activities and loss of time with family members because they die younger, etc. I know that wasn't the point of your article, but just wanted to point out there are other things that can be attributed to the "cost" of obesity. Thanks for the great article!
http://www.shelleyshouse.blogspot.com Shelley

I find it very confusing when the data indicate that the trend in obesity comes with increasing national wealth (parts of Africa and India still are not overweight, but underweight) and yet one of the main reasons given for obesity is not being able to afford healthy foods. Makes no sense to me.
Kate

I am obese and I have taken about two sick days is the past ten years. I get more done in a week than any of my coworkers. When I changed departments, they had to divide my old workload between 2.5 people. These stats are based on what? Just because they are in a pretty chart does not make them true.
Jimmy

This post made me feel so good about myself, thank you. Freakin fat people!
My recent post My Dream Last Night
themissadventurejournals

Interesting article. I was shocked at how many morbidly obese people I seen in the US. I did find it was extremely expensive to eat healthy food (fresh meat, fruit and veg) and the food that did seem healthy was filled with hidden fat and sugar (fruit juice is the worse culprit). If healthy food was subsidised I think this would have a massive effect on obesity level. It should not be cheaper to have a fast food meal than to cook a healthy meal.

What is it like in Canada? Do you see many very obese people?
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MMH

I have to admit…I find it VERY interesting that Fox News is at the top of the list for sources. *rolls my eyes* We all know how 'accurate' they are in their reporting…otherwise, I find it offensive.
I am overweight..and I can tell you without a doubt that I have taken LESS sick days and have done MORE FAST (i.e NOT slow) paced work than many of my 'svelte' coworkers. Why? Maybe because I was physically more capable to handle things than they were.

Reports like these encourage the negative attitude toward people who don't fit the standard 'beauty' myth of being thin = healthy. Which is rarely the case at all..I know (personally) a LOT of 'skinny fat' people.
Lindsay

Fat people are less productive than smokers? REALLY?! Even factoring in all of their smoke breaks? I'm surprised by that.
My recent post Are your relationships verbs or nouns

Sam

After smokers are done with their smoke break, they actually work. Fat people are probably still worrying about their next snack. Nicotine is an upper so it gives a smoker a buzz. Fatty food just makes people want to go to sleep.

findingserenity2010

Yikes. I think if it's not just the overweight=slow factor (that could be true for thin people who are just not physically fit), but also the fact that people who are overweight have more health problems and thus miss more work or have to go to more doctor's appointments during work hours. Not to mention that these people are buying and consuming too much food. And food is expensive these days.
http://lianko.com Vera

I'm not too sure why exactly obesity leads to time lost time at work? I suppose if you work a physically demanding job, then yes a heavier person might complete the tasks slower… but I don't necessarily consider that waste of time.

Otherwise very interesting statistics, both informative and nicely presented.
My recent post Fix for WP-Footnotes Encoding Error
http://fatstupidamerican.wordpress.com fatstupidamerican

I've always joked but have been semi serious when saying this.

The tax that the US should implement to fund health care should be a tax on how fat we are, not according to the BMI but based on body fat percentage. So everyone over a certain percent of body fat %, based on age, would have to pay a higher tax. You could also take a physical abilities test to reduce how much you are getting taxed.

Seriously, wouldn't that motivate Americans to lose weight?

Lindsay

I doubt it. Why? Because poorer people can't afford the healthier foods…it's a vicious cycle.
My recent post Are your relationships verbs or nouns

fatstupidamerican

That's a good point, I wouldnt be opposed to exemptions for those with lower income.

http://www.smartfrugality.com Beth

Thanks for sharing this graphic. The data is presented so well. While I knew most these facts before, this really tied them together and created a frame of reference. I wonder what our economy would look like if we invested in becoming healthier. Would health insurance costs continue rise a lot faster than inflation? Would our current recession have been as bad?
http://ndchicscents.blogspot.com/ NDChic

As a skinny smoker, I think that its humorous that overweight people cost 6 times more money than smoking. I hear people complain all the time about smokers but we should really be looking at the overweights and asking why they aren't exercising. I guess that's just not politically correct but its okay to rip on smokers.

My recent post Confession- Home Parties
Cassie

I was struck by the fuel consumption stat at the bottom too. It makes sense when you think about it though. It kind of makes me wonder how much of the increasing fuel consumption of countries (particularly established 1st world countries) is due to the increasing size of the people.
My recent post My Two Cents
Layla

Wow. Especially the fuel consumption… I'd never thought of that before.
I've heard they used to charge people for two seats on airplanes, if there was a concern about weight. If they did that now, people would complain.

Scattered Marbles

They do that now, all the time… and people cheer it happening. Even people who can fit in the seat and such have been hit with the demand that they buy and extra seat or get off the plane.
centstosave

I never thought of that either about the increased fuel consumption. Certainly makes sense..
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