Lifetime Medical Costs of Obesity: Prevention No Cure for Increasing Health Expenditure

Pieter H. M van Baal; Johan J Polder; G. Ardine de Wit; Rudolf T Hoogenveen; Talitha L Feenstra; Hendriek C Boshuizen; Peter M Engelfriet; Werner B. F Brouwer

doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0050029

Loading metrics

Open Access

Peer-reviewed

Research Article

Lifetime Medical Costs of Obesity: Prevention No Cure for Increasing Health Expenditure

Pieter H. M van Baal ,

*To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: pieter.van.baal@rivm.nl

Affiliation National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Prevention and Health Services Research, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
⨯
Johan J Polder,

Affiliations National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Centre for Public Health Forecasting, Bilthoven, The Netherlands , Tilburg University, Department Tranzo, Tilburg, The Netherlands
⨯
G. Ardine de Wit,

Affiliation National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Prevention and Health Services Research, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
⨯
Rudolf T Hoogenveen,

Affiliation National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Prevention and Health Services Research, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
⨯
Talitha L Feenstra,

Affiliation National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Prevention and Health Services Research, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
⨯
Hendriek C Boshuizen,

Affiliation National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Prevention and Health Services Research, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
⨯
Peter M Engelfriet,

Affiliation National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Prevention and Health Services Research, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
⨯
Werner B. F Brouwer

Affiliation Erasmus University, Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
⨯

Lifetime Medical Costs of Obesity: Prevention No Cure for Increasing Health Expenditure

Pieter H. M van Baal,
Johan J Polder,
G. Ardine de Wit,
Rudolf T Hoogenveen,
Talitha L Feenstra,
Hendriek C Boshuizen,
Peter M Engelfriet,
Werner B. F Brouwer

Published: February 5, 2008
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.0050029

Reader Comments

Post a new comment on this article

The point of health care is to preserve the quality of life

Posted by Emil_Posavac on 03 Sep 2009 at 16:12 GMT

I find it surprising when people imply that the point of preventive medical care is save money. People in the current Obama administration in the USA naively talk about saving medical care money through prevention. Yes, it may save money if injuries are prevented. BUT the reason for providing and seeking medical care is preserve the quality of life and extend the quantity of life. Findings similar to van Baal's have been reported before in the context of smoking.
Why are people surprised?

No competing interests declared.

Subject Areas
?

For more information about PLOS Subject Areas, click here.
We want your feedback. Do these Subject Areas make sense for this article? Click the target next to the incorrect Subject Area and let us know. Thanks for your help!

Health economics
Is the Subject Area "Health economics" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Obesity
Is the Subject Area "Obesity" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Medical risk factors
Is the Subject Area "Medical risk factors" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Body mass index
Is the Subject Area "Body mass index" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Life expectancy
Is the Subject Area "Life expectancy" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Epidemiology
Is the Subject Area "Epidemiology" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Weight gain
Is the Subject Area "Weight gain" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Morbid obesity
Is the Subject Area "Morbid obesity" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.

Lifetime Medical Costs of Obesity: Prevention No Cure for Increasing Health Expenditure

Lifetime Medical Costs of Obesity: Prevention No Cure for Increasing Health Expenditure

Reader Comments

Post Your Discussion Comment

Why should this posting be reviewed?

Thank You!

The point of health care is to preserve the quality of life

Posted by Emil_Posavac on 03 Sep 2009 at 16:12 GMT