Diabet Med. 2026 Jan 31:e70241. doi: 10.1111/dme.70241. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
AIMS: To estimate and compare the economic burden of obesity across three Integrated Care Boards in England, with a specific focus on the contribution of Type 2 diabetes and related complications.
METHODS: An adapted burden of obesity model integrating estimated national health costs data with local population metrics was applied to the integrated care boards to estimate health care, social care, productivity and economic and quality of life associated costs. Data were stratified by sector, age, sex, BMI and prevalence of obesity-related complications.
RESULTS: Across the regions, 599,248 adults were living with obesity. Total economic burden reflected obesity prevalence, with the highest costs in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, followed by Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes and then Northamptonshire. Despite this, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes had the highest per-patient costs across all cost categories. Social care and productivity losses each contributed approximately 30% of total costs, with informal care comprising 96% of social care expenditure. Per-patient healthcare costs increased with BMI. Type 2 diabetes and hypertension were among the most prevalent and costly complications, while stroke and coronary heart disease had the highest per-patient costs. Coexisting coronary heart disease with Type 2 diabetes significantly increased treatment costs. Obesity was more prevalent among working-age adults, with males incurring higher per-patient complication costs across all conditions and integrated care boards.
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the significant and variable local economic burden of obesity. Disparities in per-patient costs, sex and complication profiles highlight the need for stratified, data-driven commissioning. Targeted prevention in high-burden areas can help ICBs reduce system pressures and guide effective local strategies.
PMID:41618721 | DOI:10.1111/dme.70241