What is the economy most affected by? Some say money, some say War or unemployment. Is obesity a contributing factor? I feel that it is. Obesity is affecting our nation’s productivity and economy majorly because of medical costs, transportation costs, and human capital accumulation.

Firstly, One of the most impacting things on the economy is medical costs. Obesity is linked with higher risk for several medical costs such as asthma, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, arthritis, and hypercholesterolemia. Direct medical spending on treatment for these conditions is raising, therefore, so is the obesity rate. Several studies offer retrospective estimates of the degree of disease incidence can be linked to obesity, and the magnitude of associated direct medical costs.

Secondly, the economy is impacted by obesity because of transportation costs. Transportation costs are a large part of the economy. For example, airlines charge more for a person that takes up one seat as opposed to two. Trains also follow this rule. Buses are having to be built a bit wider because the children

cannot fit through the walkways. This affects the economy because of the extra pollution we are practically promoting.

Lastly and most importantly, effects of obesity on educational attainment-both the quality and quantity of schooling-also represent a potential economics impact, one that may become increasingly significant as rates of childhood and adolescent obesity