Obese patients cost the NHS twice as much as those within a healthy weight range, according to research. Average of £1,375 spent annually on heavier patients as government faces scrutiny for policy failures.
Using the health records of 2.4 million adults in north-west London, researchers found spending increased for heavier patients, primarily for obesity-related conditions. Patients of a healthy weight cost the NHS an average of £638 annually, the study found.
If everyone were a healthy weight, the study suggested, the NHS would save nearly £14bn annually.