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Acknowledgment
Translation of this Website has been made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada, through the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer; and from the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

The views expressed herein represent the views of the Quebec Coalition on Weight-Related Problems and the Collaborative Action on Childhood Obesity and do not necessarily represent the views of the project funders.

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Costs

A costly epidemic

Numerous studies conducted in the past 20 years converge in sustaining that problems of overweight, and obesity in particular, are directly linked to the increased prevalence of other chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, and even many types of cancer.

According to the WHO, the costs associated with the treatment of chronic diseases and weight problems will soon attain such a level that they will cut into a large part of government financing allocated to other sectors [1].

In Quebec

  • Obesity reportedly cost Quebecois $700 million in 1999-2000, which at the time represented 5.8% of the health budget. Lost productivity in connection with this was estimated at more than $800 million [2].

In Canada

  • A recent study evaluated at $30 billion per year the economic cost of overweight and obesity in Canada. This amount is the result of increased demand for medical care and lost productivity owing to greater mortality or disability [3].

Abroad

  • Obesity accounts for 2% to 7% of total health expenditures in industrialized countries [4].
  • According to a report by the International Labour Organization, studies have show absenteeism risk to be twice as high among obese workers as among workers with a healthy weight [5].
     

The state of Quebec’s public finances is such that the consequences of excess weight for the healthcare system, and for all of the other systems as well, cannot be ignored.
Reducing obesity through the promotion of healthy environments will allow the healthcare system to realize considerable savings. In this way, promoting environments conducive to healthy lifestyles becomes both a strategic and judicious pursuit.

                                        

[1] World Health Organization (2005). Preventing Chronic Diseases: A Vital Investment. Geneva: WHO. 34 pages.

[2] Coleman, R. & C. Dodds (2000). Cost of obesity in Quebec. Genuine Progress Index: Measuring sustainable development. Canada : GPIAtlantic. Consulted at http://www.gpiatlantic.org/pdf/health/obesity/que-obesity.pdf

[3] Behan, D.F. & Cox S.H. (2010). Obesity and its Relation to Mortality and Morbidity Costs. Society of Actuaries. Consulted at http://www.soa.org/files/pdf/research-2011-obesity-relation-mortality.pdf

[4] International Labour Organization (2005). Decent food at work: Raising workers' productivity and well-being. Geneva.

[5] International Labour Organization (2005). Decent food at work: Raising workers' productivity and well-being. Geneva.