How much does obesity cost the NHS and the UK economy?

Answer:

According to the U.K. government’s Obesity Healthcare Goals programme, obesity costs Britain an estimated £74 billion annually.

That includes:

• Roughly £11 billion in direct NHS spending
• Local authority social care costs
• Informal caregiving
• Lost workplace productivity

Researchers warn these costs are expected to rise as obesity-related chronic disease becomes more common across younger age groups.