The cost of lifestyle health risks: obesity.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to provide employers interested in lifestyle health initiatives a resource for estimating their members' obesity-related costs stratified by demographics and business sector.


METHODS
Claims-level medical costs attributable to obesity are estimated. Data come from 61 U.S. employers' health plan members' claims experienced between January 2000 and December 2004.


RESULTS
Diagnosed, nondrug medical expenses attributable to obesity account for 21.3% of lifestyle and 2.8% of all medical costs for those aged 19 to 64 years. Obesity costs for children under 19 years are negligible. Up to age 64 years, females' obesity costs markedly exceed males'. At particular risk for high obesity costs are women, those aged 55 to 64 years, and healthcare sector members.


CONCLUSIONS
Obesity is a costly lifestyle health risk and self-insured employers should take action with or without policy aid such as the HeLP Act S2558.
Long
D Adam
DA
Health Management Research, Gordian Health Solutions, Inc., Franklin, Tennessee 37067, USA. along@gordian-health.com
Reed
Roger
R
Lehman
Gregg
G
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007345:Insurance Claim Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009765:Obesity / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009790:Occupations; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology