The Costs of Obesity

Posted By elissa on May 2, 2012 | 3 comments

Another Reuters article – this one’s on the economic impact of obesity and unhealthy living. Some of the costs discussed in the article are obvious (medical). Others, not so much…

(Reuters) – U.S. hospitals are ripping out wall-mounted toilets and replacing them with floor models to better support obese patients. The Federal Transit Administration wants buses to be tested for the impact of heavier riders on steering and braking. Cars are burning nearly a billion gallons of gasoline more a year than if passengers weighed what they did in 1960.

The nation’s rising rate of obesity has been well-chronicled. But businesses, governments and individuals are only now coming to grips with the costs of those extra pounds, many of which are even greater than believed only a few years ago: The additional medical spending due to obesity is double previous estimates and exceeds even those of smoking, a new study shows.

TBH, I never really thought much about changes to the built environment, such as widening doors and seats, and creating new performance standards for buses. And I’m staggered by the extra amount of gas being burned.

At any rate, it’s an interesting – if somewhat worrisome – read. Check it out.