The Heavy Burden of Obesity
The Economics of Prevention
Almost one in four people in OECD countries is currently obese. This epidemic has far-reaching consequences for individuals, society and the economy. Using microsimulation modelling, this book analyses the burden of obesity and overweight in 52 countries (including OECD, European Union and G20 countries), showing how overweight reduces life expectancy, increases healthcare costs, decreases workers' productivity and lowers GDP. The report makes the urgent economic case to scale up investments in policies to promote healthy lifestyles and tackle this growing global public health problem. The book evaluates a number of policies which could significantly improve health outcomes while being an excellent investment for countries.
The relationship between childhood obesity and educational outcomes
This chapter investigates the relationship between childhood obesity and a variety of educational outcomes. A data analysis covering 32 countries explores the association between performance at school and obesity in children aged 11 to 15, and assesses the degree of inequality across countries. A longitudinal analysis investigates a potential causal relationship between childhood obesity and academic performance as well as education attainment in five countries. Finally, the chapter discusses the broader consequences of the relationship between obesity and educational outcomes, for individuals and the economy.