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The Top 5 U.S. States that Spend the Most on Obesity Per Adult
| U.S. State | Health Care Spending per Adult (attributable to obesity) |
Estimated Spending 2018 (by current trends) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | $479 | $1,736 |
| 2 | Missouri | $450 | $1,834 |
| 3 | Mississippi | $441 | $1,757 |
| 4 | Indiana | $435 | $1,484 |
| 5 | Ohio / Kentucky | $433 | $1,877 / $1,836 |
Special Report
- According to the study by the United Health Foundation and the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention, obesity is growing faster than any previous public health issue in the United States. If current trends continue, 103 million American adults will be considered obese by 2018. (a.)
- The U.S. is expected to spend $344 billion on health care costs attributable to obesity in 2018 if rates continue to increase at their current levels. Obesity - related direct expenditures are expected to account for more than 21 percent of the nation's direct health care spending in 2018. (a.)
- If obesity levels were held at their current rates, the U.S. could save an estimated $820 per adult in health care costs by 2018 - a savings of almost $200 billion dollars. (a.)
- Oklahoma is expected to have the highest obesity rate in the country by 2018; Colorado is estimated to have the lowest obesity rate. At the state level, Oklahoma stands to benefit the most if obesity levels remain steady. This would provide a potential savings of $1,200 per adult or a savings of more than $3.2 billion for the state. At the national level, in 10 years, the U.S. is expected to spend over $343 billion on health care costs that are attributable to obesity if rates continue at their current levels. In 2018, the cost of obesity at a national level is projected to be $1,425 per person, rising from $361 per adult in 2008; direct health costs for obesity will be four times as much in ten years as they were in 2008. (a.)
- The rise in the prevalence of adult obesity has been well documented over the last 20 years increasing from 12 percent in 1989 to 27 percent in 2008. (a.)
- The United Health Foundation and the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention. (2009). "The Future Costs of Obesity: National and State Estimates of the Impact of Obesity on Direct Health Care Expenses". Retrieved December 2010.
Tags:
Health Statistics, Top 5 Most, The United States, Obesity Statistics
Sources: United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention: Based on research by Kenneth E. Thorpe, Ph.D. of Emory University.
List Notes: Data is state spending per adult on obesity in the United States for the year 2008. Figures are in U.S. dollars. Estimated Spending is if current trends continue.
Obesity is defined as having a very high amount of body fat in relation to lean body mass, or Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of an adult's weight in relation to his or her height, specifically the adult's weight in kilograms divided by the square of his or her height in meters.
Sources: United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention: Based on research by Kenneth E. Thorpe, Ph.D. of Emory University.
List Notes: Data is state spending per adult on obesity in the United States for the year 2008. Figures are in U.S. dollars. Estimated Spending is if current trends continue.
Obesity is defined as having a very high amount of body fat in relation to lean body mass, or Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of an adult's weight in relation to his or her height, specifically the adult's weight in kilograms divided by the square of his or her height in meters.
