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Obesity Costs Take Toll On Bank Accounts

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Being overweight or obese can cost you more than good health, it's also hitting your wallet hard.

According to a study by George Washington University's School of Public Health and Health Services, the annual costs of being obese are $4,879 for a woman and $2,646 for a man.

The annual costs for an overweight person are significantly less: $524 for women and $432 for men.

Salary and lost wages and medical costs are cited as the main expense of obesity.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, overweight people are determined by a body mass index (BMI) of 25 – 29.9. Obesity is measured by a BMI of 30 plus. The GWU study found an overweight woman spends $524 more per year while men spend an additional $432 when compared to their normal counterparts with a BMI of 18.5 – 24.9.

The study finds that more than 60% of the United States is overweight or obese. They predict that by 2030, half of the American population will be obese.

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