Obesity

Spend less money on food and you'll save yourself (and your fellow taxpayers) a bundle on future health care costs.

The results section from the abstract:

In multivariate analyses, average annual and cumulative Medicare charges (CVD-related, diabetes-related, and total) were significantly higher by higher baseline BMI for both men and women. Thus, with adjustment for baseline age, race, education, and smoking, total average annual charges for nonoverweight, overweight, obese, and severely obese women were, respectively, $6224, $7653, $9612, and $12 342 (P<.001 for trend); corresponding total cumulative charges were $76 866, $100 959, $125 470, and $174 752 (P<.001 for trend). For nonoverweight, overweight, obese, and severely obese men, total average annual charges were, respectively, $7205, $8390, $10 128, and $13 674 (P<.001 for trend). Corresponding total cumulative charges were $100 431, $109 098, $119 318, and $176 947 (P<.001 for trend).

There's a component of the cost that derives from obesity predisposing one to other chronic problems such as heart disease and diabetes, but I think there is a hidden cost as well. Once a patient becomes obese to morbidly obese procedures become much more difficult. Anatomic landmarks are obliterated, and what was once a bedside procedure becomes a OR/suite procedure, therby raising the cost. A one-hour surgery becomes a 2 hour surgery, again raising the cost. Recovery times are prolonged with the difficulty in becoming ambulatory once more and the associated problems of being bed-bound.