The economic burden of obesity

This chapter provides an overview of the burden of obesity on population health and the economy. Based on the results of the OECD Strategic Public Health Planning for non-communicable diseases (SPHeP-NCDs) model, it presents the impact of obesity on life expectancy, morbidity and mortality, and on health expenditure in 52 countries – including OECD, EU28 and Group of 20 (G20) member countries. It also explores the impact of obesity on the labour market and the wider economy. Linking to the OECD long-term economic model, the impact of obesity on gross domestic product (GDP) and tax rate is assessed.