In: Economics
Answer: Obesity is linked with higher risk for numerous serious health care conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, stroke, coronary heart disease (CHD), arthritis, and asthma. It is associated with poorer mental health conditions and decrease in the quality of life. The obesity epidemic impacts on direct medical spending. The national health care expenditures related to obesity and overweight causes a high considerable economic costs. Moreover there are additional contributing expenses such as the food and physical activity environment, health care education on obesity, and food marketing and promotion. Obesity and its associated health concerns have a significant economic consequence on the health care system in United States, inclusive of the direct as well as indirect costs.Direct medical costs consider the diagnostic, preventive, and treatment services. Indirect costs include the death, sickness and loss in productivity. The loss in productivity is due to the employees being absent from job for obesity-related health issues, fall in productivity while at work, and premature disability and death. Thus causes a huge negative impact on the economy.