Childhood Obesity and the Economic Future

Not only do these obese adults have higher medical costs incurred to them, but children also play a large role in these raised costs and premiums. The annual direct costs of childhood obesity in the US are estimated at about $14.3 billion. If obesity continues to spiral out of control, these children are on the path of life to continue being extremely unhealthy and drive up the medical costs even more. If people are paying large sums of money for healthcare, the only industry being successful will be the health field. And even then, the government will have to continue to shell out money for these costs, which could potentially cause more harm than good in the debt area. This is just one other reason obesity will negatively affect the economy in the future.

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Childhood Obesity Not Only Affects Health


Hammond, Ross A., and Ruth Levine. "The Economic Impact of Obesity in the United States." Dove Press (2010): 285-95. Brookings.edu. Dove Medical Press Ltd, 17 Aug. 2010. Web. 3 May 2012.