Abstract
BackgroundObesity is a complex health disorder that significantly increases the risk of several chronic diseases, and it has been associated with a 5–20-year decrease in life expectancy. The prevalence of obesity is increasing steadily worldwide and Italy follows this trend with an increase of almost 30% in the adult obese population in the last 3 decades. Previous studies estimated that 2–4% of the total health expenditure in Europe is attributed to obesity and it is projected to double by 2050. Currently, there is a lack of sufficient knowledge on the burden of obesity in Italy and most relevant estimates are derived from international studies. The aim of this study is to estimate the direct and indirect costs of obesity in Italy, taking 2020 as the reference year.MethodsBased on data collected from the literature, a quantitative cost-of-illness (COI) study was performed from a societal perspective focussing on the adult obese population (Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2) in Italy.ResultsThe study indicated that the total costs attributable to obesity in Italy amounted to €13.34 billion in 2020 (95% credible interval: €8.99 billion < µ < €17.80 billion). Direct costs were €7.89 billion, with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) having the highest impact on costs (€6.66 billion), followed by diabetes (€0.65 billion), cancer (€0.33 billion), and bariatric surgery (€0.24 billion). Indirect costs amounted to €5.45 billion, with almost equal contribution of absenteeism (€2.62 billion) and presenteeism (€2.83 billion).ConclusionsObesity is associated with high direct and indirect costs, and cost-effective prevention programmes are deemed fundamental to contain this public health threat in Italy.
Highlights
Obesity is a multifactorial health disorder characterised by an excessive accumulation of body fat, leading to a significantly increased risk for several chronic diseases, such as1 3 Vol.:(0123456789)M. d’Errico et al.reduced employment), where obesity is projected to cause the loss of the equivalent of 6 million full-time workers by 2050 [9, 11].In the context of this obesity pandemic, the situation in Italy is not very different
Based on data collected from the literature, a quantitative cost-of-illness (COI) study was performed from a societal perspective focussing on the adult obese population (Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2) in Italy
The Italian Health Ministry adhered to the Joint Action on Nutrition and Physical Activity (JANPA) initiative promoted by the European Union (EU) as part of a multi-project action aimed to halt the increase in overweight and obesity in children and adolescents by 2020 [15]
Summary
Obesity is a multifactorial health disorder characterised by an excessive accumulation of body fat, leading to a significantly increased risk for several chronic diseases, such as1 3 Vol.:(0123456789)M. d’Errico et al.reduced employment), where obesity is projected to cause the loss of the equivalent of 6 million full-time workers by 2050 [9, 11].In the context of this obesity pandemic, the situation in Italy is not very different. Was a symbol of a healthy lifestyle, with an obesity rate of only 8% of the population versus 30% in the US and 21% in the United Kingdom (UK). The aim of this study is to estimate the direct and indirect costs of obesity in Italy, taking 2020 as the reference year. Methods Based on data collected from the literature, a quantitative cost-of-illness (COI) study was performed from a societal perspective focussing on the adult obese population (Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2) in Italy. Conclusions Obesity is associated with high direct and indirect costs, and cost-effective prevention programmes are deemed fundamental to contain this public health threat in Italy
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