Direct and Indirect Cost of Obesity Among the Privately Insured in the United States: A Focus on the Impact by Type of Industry.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To evaluate obesity-related costs and body mass index (BMI) as a cost predictor among privately insured employees by industry. METHODS Individuals with/without obesity were identified using the Optum Health Reporting and Insights employer claims database (1/2010-3/2017). Direct/indirect costs were reported per-patient-per-year (PPPY). Multivariate models were used to estimate the association between obesity and high costs (≥80th percentile) by industry. RESULTS Overall (N = 86,221), direct and absenteeism/disability cost differences between class I obesity (BMI 30.0-34.9) and reference were $1,775 and $617 PPPY, respectively (P < 0.05). Among employees with obesity (BMI≥30), highest total costs were observed in the government/education/religious services, food/entertainment services, and technology industries. Class I obesity increased the odds of high costs (≥80th percentile) within each industry (odds ratios vs reference = 1.09-5.17). CONCLUSIONS Obesity (BMI≥30) was associated with high costs among employees of major US industries.