The obesity epidemic in the United States is having serious and wide-spread health implications for millions of Americans. More than two-thirds of adults in the U.S. are now overweight and one-third is obese. While obesity has been a public health concern for some time, there have been few comprehensive studies on the economic cost of obesity in the United States. The Brookings Institution article, The Economic Impact of Obesity in the United States, addresses the economic impact of the countries’ obesity epidemic. The report states that the economic costs of obesity in the United States could exceed $215 billion annually, from direct medical spending, lost productivity, and increased transportation costs. Obesity and obesity-related costs are so significant that it is important for policymakers to take the issue very seriously as both a matter of public health and fiscal responsibility.
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