Economic Burden of Obesity in Youths Aged 6 to 17 Years: 1979–1999

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Objective. To examine the trend of obesity-associated diseases in youths and related economic costs.Methods. Using a multiyear data file of the National Hospital Discharge Survey, 1979 -1999, we analyzed the changes in obesity-associated diseases and economic costs in youths (6 -17 years of age) over time. Diabetes, obesity, sleep apnea, and gallbladder disease were examined to explore the trend of the disease burden. Other obesity-associated diseases for which obesity was listed as a secondary diagnosis were also analyzed. Obesityassociated hospital costs were estimated from the discharges with obesity listed as a principal or secondary diagnosis.Results. From 1979 -1981 to 1997-1999, the percentage of discharges with obesity-associated diseases increased. The discharges of diabetes nearly doubled (from 1.43% to 2.36%), obesity and gallbladder diseases tripled (0.36% to 1.07% and 0.18% to 0.59%, respectively), and sleep apnea increased fivefold (0.14% to 0.75%). Ninety-six percent of discharges with a diagnosis of obesity listed obesity as a secondary diagnosis. Asthma and some mental disorders were the most common principal diagnoses when obesity was listed as a secondary diagnosis. Obesity-associated annual hospital costs (based on 2001 constant US dollar value) increased more than threefold; from $35 million (0.43% of total hospital costs) during 1979 -1981 to $127 million (1.70% of total hospital costs) during 1997-1999.Conclusions. Among all hospital discharges, the proportion of discharges with obesity-associated diseases has increased dramatically in the past 20 years. This increase has led to a significant growth in economic costs. These findings may reflect the impact of increasing prevalence and severity of obesity. Diet and physical activity interventions should be developed for weight loss and prevention of weight gain in youths. Pediatrics 2002; 109(5). URL: http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/ 109/5/e81;

Fatores de risco associados ao excesso de peso entre adolescentes da Região Oeste Paulista

“…Although there are no similar reports in the literature concerning the Brazilian pediatric population, studies with North-American populations of the same age show that there has been a significant increase in the number of patients with diseases associated to O/O, such as diabetes mellitus and gallbladder problems, seen at health systems in the referred country over a 20-year period (1979-1999) (1) .…”

“…Se calculó el índice de masa corporal; los factores de riesgo familiares fueron analizados por medio de cuestionario. El exceso de peso fue asociado con: sexo masculino (RC=1,55 [1,97]), estudiar en escuela particular (RC=2,14 [1,56-2,94]), y mayor escolaridad materna (RC=0,52 [0,33-0,83]). Iniciativas de combate a la obesidad deben ser instauradas en el medio escolar y alcanzar a toda la estructura familiar, así como llevar en consideración particularidades provenientes del sexo.…”

“…Overweight and obesity (O/O) are considered serious public health issues across the world because of their strong associations with various risk factors for developing nontransmissible chronic diseases (1)(2) .…”

Performance of body fat and body mass index cutoffs in elevated blood pressure screening among male children and adolescents

“…1 This increase is worrisome, because it is expressly associated with a higher burden of health care costs among children and adolescents. 2 Adipose tissue releases a variety of adipokines, which are strongly associated with endothelial dysfunction and, in turn, increased blood pressure (BP) values at rest. It is known that obese adolescents have increased odds of developing chronic disorders such as hypertension, 3 and this physiological outcome is frequently observed among obese adolescents.…”

Freiburg Intervention Trial for Obese Children (FITOC): results of a clinical observation study

“…[5][6][7][8][9] The socioeconomic cost factor is enormous. 10 Thus, it is essential to develop strategies for the prevention of childhood obesity and effective treatments for overweight children. Despite growing scientific knowledge about obesity treatments, long-term intervention programs are rare.…”