New study highlights economic burden of COVID-19 linked to overweight and obesity
A groundbreaking study co-authored by Jaynaide Powis, Head of Data and Evidence at the World Obesity Federation, reveals the significant economic impacts of COVID-19 associated with overweight and obesity (OAO).
Published in PLOS Global Public Health, the research underscores how individuals living with overweight and obesity experienced notably worse health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic, translating into substantial economic burdens for countries worldwide.
The study, conducted by a team from RAND Corporation, RTI International, and World Obesity Federation, employed a cost-of-illness approach to quantify direct medical costs and premature mortality costs from COVID-19 exacerbated by overweight and obesity across eight countries: Australia, Brazil, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, and Thailand.
The findings are stark.
On average, OAO accounted for about 20% of COVID-19 hospitalisations, 43% of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and 17% of deaths from COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021 across the eight countries studied.
The economic toll ranged significantly, with additional treatment and premature mortality costs in 2020 varying from as low as 0.0003% of GDP in Thailand to a striking 0.62% in Brazil. In 2021, these costs remained substantial, up to 0.56% of GDP in Brazil.
Read the Study
Looking ahead, the study explored potential scenarios where obesity prevalence remained constant at pre-pandemic levels or was reduced by 50%. Such measures could lead to considerable economic savings—potentially cutting annual additional costs by nearly half by 2030.
The findings reinforce the urgent need for strengthened political commitment and prioritisation of overweight and obesity prevention and reduction efforts, particularly as part of pandemic preparedness and public health system resilience.