AI Article Synopsis

  • The Asia-Pacific region faces a significant challenge with obesity, which is linked to various health issues and rising medical costs; a hypothetical 10% weight loss could lead to significant savings over the next decade.
  • Using an epidemiological-economic model, the study assessed current and future obesity-related health costs and problems in Australia, South Korea, Thailand, and India, revealing that costs could increase dramatically if no action is taken.
  • A 10% weight reduction could save billions in medical expenses by 2032 while reducing the incidence of obesity-related comorbidities, highlighting the need for effective policies to support obesity management in the region.

Article Abstract

Background: The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region includes a significant proportion of the global population currently living with overweight and obesity. This modelling analysis was conducted to quantify the incidence of obesity-related comorbidities and change in obesity-related costs over 10 years with a hypothetical 10% weight loss in Australia, South Korea, Thailand, and India.

Methods: An epidemiological-economic model was used to describe current prevalence and direct medical costs of ten obesity-related comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes and hypertension, in adults aged 20-69 years living with obesity, and estimate incidence and costs over 10 years. Incidence reduction and the associated savings by 2032 were then estimated for a 10% weight-loss scenario.

Results: The total estimated medical costs for the ten obesity-related comorbidities in 2022 were 2.9, 7.5, 10.2, and 23.3 billion USD in Australia, South Korea, Thailand, and India, respectively. Costs increase to 6.9, 18.4, 23.5, and 44.3 billion USD in 2032, if insufficient action is taken. A 10% weight reduction would result in estimated savings of 0.3, 1.2, 2.2, and 3.0 billion USD in Australia, South Korea, Thailand, and India, respectively, in 2032, with cumulative savings over the 10-year period of 1.8, 7.0, 13.0, and 17.4 billion USD. Incidence of comorbidities were estimated to rise less in the weight-loss scenario.

Conclusions: The financial, societal, and health benefits of a substantial but achievable 10% weight loss in adults living with obesity, and the consequences of insufficient action, are pronounced in the APAC region. To achieve sustained weight loss in the real world, policy actions for addressing barriers to obesity management are required.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s44263-024-00094-xDOI Listing
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11622925PMC

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

weight loss
16
billion usd
16
obesity-related comorbidities
12
10% weight
12
australia south
12
south korea
12
korea thailand
12
incidence obesity-related
8
apac region
8
costs years
8

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!