Even Modest Weight Loss Tied to Lower Health Care Spending

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2024 -- A reduction in body mass index in adults with overweight or obesity is associated with lower health care spending, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in JAMA Network Open.

Kenneth E. Thorpe, Ph.D., and Peter J. Joski, M.S.P.H., from the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University in Atlanta, estimated health care spending among adults with overweight or obesity and employer-sponsored insurance (13,435 adults) or Medicare (3,774 adults). Data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey-Household Component were used to tabulate total annual health care spending and associations by body mass index (BMI).

The researchers found that adults with employer-sponsored insurance with a weight loss of 5 percent were estimated to spend a mean of $670 less on health care (8 percent less). Adults with a weight loss of 25 percent spent an estimated mean of $2,849 less on health care (34 percent less). For adults with Medicare coverage and one or more comorbid conditions, a 5 percent weight loss was associated with a spending reduction of $1,262 (7 percent less), while a 25 percent weight loss was associated with a reduction in health care spending by a mean of $5,442 (31 percent less).

"Projected savings started at modest levels of weight loss and accelerated by multiples as weight loss percentage increased," the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text

Editorial

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2024-12-07 12:00

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords