Slowing the rising rates of obesity in this country by just 1 percent a year over the next two decades would slice the costs of health care by $85 billion.

Keep obesity rates where they are now — well below a 33 percent increase that’s been expected by some — and the savings would hit nearly $550 billion over the same 20 years.

Those are two attention-grabbing conclusions from an analysis released this morning at the Weight of the Nation conference in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Researchers from Duke University, RTI International and CDC prepared the analysis, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

It’s the latest work that shows the health care costs associated with obesity, and the stark financial consequence of the epidemic.

Fat Thanks to Sona S. for the tip!

Even A Small Slowdown In Obesity’s Rise Would Save Big Money : Shots – Health Blog : NPR