The additional cost of obesity to the health service and the potential forresource savings from effective interventions

Background: Obesity affects 15% of men and 16.5% of women in the UK (1995), UK prevalence of obesity has doubled in 10 years and continues to rise: it is projected to reach 18 and 24% respectively by 2000, Obesity is a comple x condition influenced by both genetic and environmental factors and is ass ociated with reduced longevity and increased risk of serious co-morbidities including diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and hypertension. Metho ds: Data from a large population survey in north-west England allowed estim ation of the additional direct costs to the NHS of major co-morbidities ass ociated with obesity. The change in costs expected from a lower prevalence of obesity were projected. Results: Initial estimates suggest annual reduct ions in health care spending in England of up to pound 131 million per annu m (1996 prices) may be possible with effective interventions for being over weight and obesity. This is equivalent to 11% (males) or 13% (females) of s pending on the main co-morbidities and approximately 1% of overall expendit ure. Conclusions: The number of grossly obese patients in the UK remains ve ry small and the burden they place on the health service is not very seriou s. Most of the additional cost is for those moderately overweight (WHO grad e 1) and research should concentrate on evaluating interventions that reduc e the numbers in this group. Obesity often develops at an early age, but th e more expensive co-morbidities appear 10-20 years later. Thus, interventio ns targeted at younger age groups are more likely to provide significant co st savings, but must be evaluated over a lifetime to include the full impac t of chronic co-morbidities.