US study looks at transport weight costs

A US study says obesity costs the US economy at least US$215 billion a year in direct and indirect impacts, including transport costs.

A report by Brookings Institution researchers said medical costs for obese adults were US$147 billion higher than healthy adults' costs. Costs for children were US$14.3 billion dollars annually.

Although the costs of obesity have been analysed in the past, little attention has been paid to factors such as transportation and environmental impacts.

A US study says obesity costs the US economy at least US$215 billion a year in direct and indirect impacts, including transport costs.

A report by Brookings Institution researchers said medical costs for obese adults were US$147 billion higher than healthy adults' costs. Costs for children were US$14.3 billion dollars annually.

Although the costs of obesity have been analysed in the past, little attention has been paid to factors such as transportation and environmental impacts.