The Implications of Aging and Diversification of Population on Overweight and Obesity and the Economic Burden Associated with Overweight and Obesity in the U.S. From 2000 to 2050

Nazrul Hoque, University of Texas at San Antonio

Overweight and obesity a major health concerns in contemporary America. The percentage of the population that is considered overweight and obese has increased substantially over the past years for both adults and children. Obesity rates have more than doubled since 1990, increasing from 11.6% in 1990 to 26.3% in 2007. This increase is of substantial concern because of the health risks associated with overweight and obesity. Approximately, 300,000 to 400,000 deaths each year in the U.S. are attributable to overweight and obesity. This paper examines the implications of future demographic changes on overweight and obesity and costs associated with overweight and obesity in the U.S. Decomposition techniques are used to examine the relative impacts of population growth, aging and changes in the racial/ethnic composition of the population on increases in the prevalence and related costs of overweight and obesity in U.S.