Cost of health care. The additional cost of obesity to the health service and the potential for resource savings from effective interventions

Abstract

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 complex condition influenced by both genetic and environmental factors and is associated with reduced longevity and increased risk of serious co-morbidities including diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and hypertension. Methods: Data from a large population survey in north-west England allowed estimation of the additional direct costs to the NHS of major co-morbidities associated with obesity. The change in costs expected from a lower prevalence of obesity were projected. Results: Initial estimates suggest annual reductions in health care spending in England of up to £131 million per annum (1996 prices) may be possible with effective Interventions for being overweight and obesity. This is equivalent to 11% (males) or 13% (females) of spending on the main co-morbidities and approximately 1% of overall expenditure. Conclusions: The number of grossly obese patients in the UK remains very small and the burden they place on the health service is not very serious. Most of the additional cost is for those moderately overweight (WHO grade 1) and research should concentrate on evaluating interventions that reduce the numbers in this group. Obesity often develops at an early age, but the more expensive co-morbidities appear 10–20 years later. Thus, interventions targeted at younger age groups are more likely to provide significant cost savings, but must be evaluated over a lifetime to include the full impact of chronic co-morbidities.