Health care costs and lost productivity costs related to excess weight in Belgium

Abstract

\n Background\n\nThis study aimed to estimate annual health care and lost productivity costs associated with excess weight among the adult population in Belgium, using national health data.\nMethods\n\nHealth care costs and costs of absenteeism were estimated using data from the Belgian national health interview survey (BHIS) 2013 linked with individual health insurance data (2013–2017). Average yearly health care costs and costs of absenteeism were assessed by body mass index (BMI) categories – i.e., underweight (BMI\u2009<\u200918.5 kg/m²), normal weight (18.5\u2009≤\u2009BMI\u2009<\u200925 kg/m²), overweight (25\u2009≤\u2009BMI\u2009<\u200930 kg/m²) and obesity (BMI\u2009≥\u200930 kg/m²). Health care costs were also analysed by type of cost (i.e. ambulatory, hospital, reimbursed medication). The cost attributable to excess weight and the contribution of various other chronic conditions to the incremental cost of excess weight were estimated using the method of recycled prediction (a.k.a. standardisation).\nResults\n\nAccording to BHIS 2013, 34.7% and 13.9% of the Belgian adult population were respectively overweight or obese. They were mostly concentrated in the age-group 35–65 years and had significantly more chronic conditions compared to the normal weight population. Average total healthcare expenses for overweight and obese people were significantly higher than those observed in the normal weight population.