Abstract

Obesity imposes a substantial and growing economic burden on health systems, employers, and societies 
worldwide. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the direct and indirect costs attributable to 
overweight and obesity, highlighting the significant financial pressures created by rising prevalence, treatment 
patterns, comorbidity profiles, healthcare pricing, and access barriers. Direct medical expenditures, spanning 
inpatient and outpatient care, pharmaceuticals, procedures, and long-term care, constitute a major component of 
healthcare spending, while indirect costs such as absenteeism, presenteeism, premature mortality, and caregiver 
time often exceed medical expenditures. Demographic and geographic disparities further shape cost variability, 
underscoring the disproportionate burden borne by lower-income populations and specific age or ethnic groups. 
The review identifies major drivers of rising costs, evaluates the cost-effectiveness of obesity interventions, and 
examines policy approaches aimed at containment, including taxation, subsidies, preventive programs, and 
workplace wellness strategies. Persistent methodological challenges and data gaps, particularly regarding indirect 
costs, limit the precision of cost estimates and impede coherent policy formulation. Strengthening data systems, 
standardizing methodologies, and integrating equity considerations into policy design are essential for mitigating 
the long-term economic consequences of obesity and promoting sustainable health system financing.