Impact of Obesity
Obesity Is a Prevalent and Costly Disease1
Obesity has a significant clinical and economic impact because it can be the underlying cause of many comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.1
Impact of Obesity
Obesity Is a Prevalent
and Costly Disease1
Obesity has a significant clinical and economic impact
because it can be the underlying cause of many
comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.1
Obesity is a chronic disease, not merely a lifestyle issue2
Why is it so hard to lose weight and why does it return? As shown here, there are multiple factors
that may affect weight loss and weight maintenance.
Science of Obesity
When weight is lost, the body
increases the hunger hormone and
decreases the fullness hormone3
Genetics
Certain genes may play an important role
in how much weight is gained4,5
Behavior
Not enough sleep and lack
of physical activity may be
contributing factors6
Environment
Eating healthy may be challenging
(eg, location, price, time to prepare).
Some individuals have no place to
exercise5,6
Impact of
comorbidities on
obesity
Learn about the comorbidities associated
with obesity.1,7-9
According to the
Obesity Medicine Association
there may be
>200
COMORBIDITIES
ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY8
The Weigh Forward: Why Obesity Matters to Your Organization
Explore the extent of the obesity epidemic, the health risks associated with obesity, and the ways in which obesity can be costly to your organization.
Videos
The Science of Obesity Video
Would you like to learn more about the science of obesity? This video provides a basic scientific understanding of obesity, its potential causes, and potential treatments.
Additional Resources
AOM Coverage Guide for Employers
Download a comprehensive guide to learn how to navigate weight management and coverage for the AOM in your organization.
Explore the Next Topic
Taking Action
As an employer, take action to help control
healthcare costs and improve employee
wellness
Taking Action
As an employer, take action to help control healthcare costs and improve employee wellness
Sign up to receive the latest developments in weight-management strategies
Contact us to learn more
References: 1. Garvey WT, Mechanick JI, Brett EM, et al; Reviewers of the AACE/ACE Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology comprehensive clinical practice guidelines for medical care of patients with obesity. Endocr Pract. 2016;22(suppl 3):1-203. 2. Recognition of Obesity as a Disease H-440.842. American Medical Association. Accessed May 18, 2023. https://policysearch.ama-assn.org/policyfinder/detail/H-440.842?uri=%2FAMADoc%2FHOD.xml-0-3858.xml 3. Sumithran P, Prendergast LA, Delbridge E, et al. Long-term persistence of hormonal adaptations to weight loss. N Engl J Med. 2011;365(17):1597-1604. 4. Hebebrand J, Hinney A, Knoll N, Volckmar AL, Scherag A. Molecular genetic aspects of weight regulation. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2013;110(19):338-344. 5. Bray GA, Kim KK, Wilding JPH. Obesity: a chronic relapsing progressive disease process. A position statement of the World Obesity Federation. Obes Rev. 2017;18(7):715-723. 6. Schwartz MW, Seeley RJ, Zeltser LM, et al. Obesity pathogenesis: an Endocrine Society Scientific Statement. Endocr Rev. 2017;38(4):267-296. 7. Obesity and cancer. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated August 9, 2023. Accessed April 17, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/obesity/index.htm 8. What is obesity? Obesity Medicine Association. Published July 31, 2023. Accessed April 17, 2024. https://obesitymedicine.org/what-is-obesity/ 9. Masters RK, Reither EN, Powers DA, Yang YC, Burger AE, Link BG. The impact of obesity on US mortality levels: the importance of age and cohort factors in population estimates. Am J Public Health. 2013;103(10):1895-1901. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2013.301379
