The Cost of Obesity

Each year, roughly 39 million work days are lost to obesity-related illnesses, costing employers $142 billion in 2005, including health expenses and diminished productivity. What's more, obesity accounts for the greatest single expense to our health care system, triggering $147 billion in health care costs each year, with half paid by Medicare and Medicaid. These are not minor sums-- they are figures that play a central and very dangerous role in our national spending, something that is a demonstrated priority for American voters.



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/penny-lee/obesity-tied-to-americas_b_625550.html