The burden of overweight and obesity‐related ill health in the UK

Abstract

This paper reviews previous cost studies of overweight and obesity in the UK. It proposes a method for estimating the economic and health costs of overweight and obesity in the UK which could also be used in other countries. Costs of obesity studies were identified via a systematic search of electronic databases. Information from the WHO Burden of Disease Project was used to calculate the mortality and morbidity cost of overweight and obesity. Population attributable fractions for diseases attributable to overweight and obesity were applied to National Health Service (NHS) cost data to estimate direct financial costs. We estimate the direct cost of overweight and obesity to the NHS at pound 3.2 billion. Other estimates of the cost of obesity range between pound 480 million in 1998 and pound 1.1 billion in 2004 [Correction added after online publication 11 June 2007: 'of the cost of obesity' added after 'Other estimates']. There is wide variation in methods and estimates for the cost of overweight and obesity to the health systems of developed countries. The method presented here could be used to calculate the costs of overweight and obesity in other countries. Public health initiatives are required to address the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity and reduce associated healthcare costs.

The co-benefits for health of investing in active transportation

“…54 The annual costs of obesity and physical inactivity will continue to grow if current levels continue unabated. [55][56][57][58] In New Zealand (NZ), Woodward modelled the impact on the health budget of a 5% increase in bicycle trips of less than 7 km (equivalent to levels in 1980). 17 After accounting for additional costs associated with cycling injuries and fatalities, he estimated the annual net health savings amounted to $200 million, or around 1.6% of NZ's annual health budget.…”

Trends in the prevalence of obesity and overweight in English adults by age and birth cohort, 1991–2006

“…The high level of obesity is a concern, as it, together with being overweight, is a risk factor for a number of serious chronic diseases and for reduced life span (4,5) . Data from the annual cross-sectional Health Survey for England (HSE) were used in the present study to describe recent age and time trends in obesity and overweight in England, to identify any variation in trends across the age range and investigate whether there were any signs of a change in the rate of increase.…”

Public beliefs about the causes of obesity and attitudes towards policy initiatives in Great Britain

“…The health consequences of obesity place an immense burden on public health services (3,4) and there are also significant economic costs associated with obesity (5,6) . Consequently, the government is increasingly called upon to intervene and tackle the problem (7,8) .…”