Introduction

Obesity has become a dominant global health challenge, affecting over 1.9 billion adults worldwide. Among them, more than 650 million are classified as obese, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This epidemic has reached alarming levels in countries across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and increasingly, Africa and Asia. Not only does obesity increase the risk of numerous non-communicable diseases (NCDs), but it also contributes to growing healthcare costs, reduced labor force productivity, and wider social challenges.

In Egypt, for example, over 35% of adults are obese, and obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and fatty liver disease are rising rapidly. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries — including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE — have some of the highest obesity rates globally, placing a tremendous burden on their health systems. In this context, bariatric surgery has proven to be a strategic and cost-effective intervention that can significantly mitigate this burden.

Economic Burden of Obesity: Global and Regional Perspectives

The financial toll of obesity manifests through both direct and indirect costs. Direct costs include medical care for obesity and its associated conditions. Indirect costs include reduced work productivity, absenteeism, early retirement, and premature death. Together, these account for billions of dollars annually in both high-income and middle-income countries.

In the U.S., obesity-related illnesses are estimated to cost $173 billion annually (CDC, 2020). In the European Union, the economic impact exceeds €70 billion per year due to healthcare costs and lost productivity. In Middle Eastern countries, government health insurance systems often absorb a substantial portion of obesity treatment costs, making the financial strain even more pronounced.

A 2022 study by the World Obesity Federation projected that by 2030, the global cost of overweight and obesity could reach $4.3 trillion per year, roughly 3% of global GDP. This makes obesity not only a medical concern but also a profound economic issue requiring immediate and systemic intervention.

Medical Cost Drivers in Obesity

Obesity is associated with a wide range of chronic diseases that require ongoing treatment, medications, and frequent medical visits:

1. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM): Obesity is the leading risk factor, and patients often require costly lifelong medication, insulin, and complication management.
2. Cardiovascular Disease (CVD): Includes coronary artery disease, stroke, and hypertension, all significantly worsened by obesity.
3. NAFLD/NASH: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease affects up to 80% of patients with obesity.
4. Osteoarthritis: Joint replacement surgeries are increasingly common among obese patients.
5. Cancer: Obesity increases the risk for at least 13 types of cancer.

Read more: https://www.asianhhm.com/articles/investing-in-weight-loss-the-financial-wisdom-of-bariatric-surgery