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Thursday, July 9, 2009

Weight problems cost California $41B a year

Obesity and weight-related problems cost California $41 billion a year, a cost that has nearly doubled in six years, according to a study released Thursday by an organization that fights obesity.

The California Center for Public Health Advocacy said the study showed a 33 percent increase in obesity rates, which resulted in health care costs and lost productivity.

“The economic cost to California of adults who are obese, overweight and physically inactive is equivalent to more than a third of the state’s total budget,” said California State Controller John Chiang in a statement announcing the study results. Chiang called obesity an epidemic in California.

The study updates California Department of Health Services research in 2000 that attempted to find the economic cost of obesity. The study, and the update, both by Chenoweth and Associates of North Carolina, found that overweight and obesity cost $21 billion annually and physical inactivity cost $20.2 billion. The consulting firm said it expects total costs to rise to $53 billion by 2011.

The study released Thursday broke down costs by county, with the largest counties accounting for the highest, with Los Angeles County leading the way. The four counties in the Los Angeles area broke down as follows:

  • Los Angeles - $11.9 billion
  • Orange - $3.3 billion
  • Riverside - $1.6 billion
  • San Bernadino - $1.5 billion

The study recommends policies to promote physical activity and healthy eating.

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