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Institute on the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity

Institute Rationale and Objectives

The obesity epidemic is "weighing America down" and harming our health, economic strength, and productivity. The U.S. is, unfortunately, on the leading edge of a global tsunami that will bring more chronic health problems and disability to future generations at younger ages unless steps are taken to alter this course.

Currently two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese; however, the biggest increases are occurring in children. Over the last two decades the proportion of obese adults doubled and that of obese children tripled. About 25 million children are already overweight or obese, making healthy weight in children a national priority.

The health consequences of obesity are well known and include increases in many serious and chronic conditions including:
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Low back pain and joint deterioration
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Certain cancers
  • Respiratory problems
  • Depression
While the prevalence of obesity and obesity-related chronic conditions tends to be disproportionately high in some racial and ethnic communities, this serious health challenge affects all racial and ethnic groups and socioeconomic levels. Strategies for overcoming obesity must address health disparities, and particular challenges and barriers facing certain subpopulations.

The economic consequences of the obesity epidemic are equally dire. Affordability of care is front and center in the health reform debate &mdah;- and most would agree that we can ill afford to pay the high cost of a problem that, in a majority of cases, is a preventable condition. Despite this, we are paying dearly:1
  • More than a quarter of US health costs are related to physical inactivity, overweight, and obesity
  • 27% of the increase in health spending between 1987 and 2001 was attributable to obesity
  • Between 1979 and 1999, obesity-associated hospital costs for children (6-17 years) more than tripled
Finally, the impact of obesity on employee productivity is only beginning to be understood, but appears to be even greater than its direct health care cost impact. Obesity is an important cause of short- and long-term disability, workers compensation, absenteeism and presenteeism.

The Implications for Large Employers

The obesity epidemic poses substantial challenges to employers. Obesity and its related health conditions hurt the health and well being of the current workforce. Additionally, the significant increased prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents — covered as dependents — forebodes an even greater problem large employers will confront with the future workforce.

The National Business Group on Health recognizes the critical link between obesity — a preventable condition — and myriad serious, chronic and costly conditions. The importance of this problem motivated the Business Group's Board of Directors to establish the Institute on the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity in 2003.

Core Objectives

The Institute on the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity is the first of its kind, structured specifically for a corporate audience. An Institute Board, consisting of key stakeholders interested in playing a major role in developing strategies to leverage corporate resources to respond to the nation's obesity epidemic, oversees the Institute. Through a variety of practical initiatives, the Institute:
  • Serves as a reliable resource for large employers on the health and cost repercussions lifestyle-related conditions and behaviors
  • Provides employer toolkits to jumpstart efforts to offer employees healthy options, information and incentives to change behavior
  • Proposes innovative solutions that large employers can implement to control costs related to lifestyle-related behaviors
  • Develops and disseminates clear messages stressing "what's in it for me" to communicate about healthy weight
  • Recognizes and rewards companies through the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles award program

Contact

For more information on The Institute on the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity at the National Business Group on Health, please contact LuAnn Heinen, Director, (202) 669-6356 or healthyweight@businessgrouphealth.org.



1 F is for Fat, Trust for America's Health, 2007

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