Economic Burden of Obesity in Youths Aged 6 to 17 Years: 1979–1999
- 1 May 2002
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in Pediatrics
- Vol. 109 (5), e81
- https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.109.5.e81
Abstract
Objective. To examine the trend of obesity-associated diseases in youths and related economic costs. Methods. Using a multiyear data file of the National Hospital Discharge Survey, 1979–1999, we analyzed the changes in obesity-associated diseases and economic costs in youths (6–17 years of age) over time. Diabetes, obesity, sleep apnea, and gallbladder disease were examined to explore the trend of the disease burden. Other obesity-associated diseases for which obesity was listed as a secondary diagnosis were also analyzed. Obesity-associated hospital costs were estimated from the discharges with obesity listed as a principal or secondary diagnosis. Results. From 1979–1981 to 1997–1999, the percentage of discharges with obesity-associated diseases increased. The discharges of diabetes nearly doubled (from 1.43% to 2.36%), obesity and gallbladder diseases tripled (0.36% to 1.07% and 0.18% to 0.59%, respectively), and sleep apnea increased fivefold (0.14% to 0.75%). Ninety-six percent of discharges with a diagnosis of obesity listed obesity as a secondary diagnosis. Asthma and some mental disorders were the most common principal diagnoses when obesity was listed as a secondary diagnosis. Obesity-associated annual hospital costs (based on 2001 constant US dollar value) increased more than threefold; from $35 million (0.43% of total hospital costs) during 1979–1981 to $127 million (1.70% of total hospital costs) during 1997–1999. Conclusions. Among all hospital discharges, the proportion of discharges with obesity-associated diseases has increased dramatically in the past 20 years. This increase has led to a significant growth in economic costs. These findings may reflect the impact of increasing prevalence and severity of obesity. Diet and physical activity interventions should be developed for weight loss and prevention of weight gain in youths.Keywords
This publication has 16 references indexed in Scilit:
- Type 2 diabetes among North adolescents: An epidemiologic health perspectiveThe Journal of Pediatrics, 2000
- Type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents. American Diabetes Association.Diabetes Care, 2000
- Risks and consequences of childhood and adolescent obesityInternational Journal of Obesity, 1999
- Predicting Obesity in Young Adulthood from Childhood and Parental ObesityNew England Journal of Medicine, 1997
- Increased incidence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus among adolescentsThe Journal of Pediatrics, 1996
- Adolescent overweight is associated with adult overweight and related multiple cardiovascular risk factors: The Bogalusa Heart StudyMetabolism, 1996
- Self‐Esteem and Obesity in Children and Adolescents: A Literature ReviewObesity Research, 1995
- The Indirect Costs of Obesity to SocietyPharmacoEconomics, 1994
- Do Obese Children Become Obese Adults? A Review of the LiteraturePreventive Medicine, 1993
- Long-Term Morbidity and Mortality of Overweight AdolescentsNew England Journal of Medicine, 1992