Obesity Costing Texas Businesses Billions
By: VERTEXNews
Updated: February 9, 2011
The cost of obesity in Texas is now triple the estimated amount released back in 2007.
Texas Comptroller Susan Combs says obesity costs Texas businesses $9.5 billion each year due to absenteeism, decreased productivity, disability and health insurance costs.
The report released Monday shows that if the obesity rate and health care costs continue to increase, the cost to businesses could reach $32.5 billion by 2030.
Two thirds of adult Texans and just over 20 percent of Texas children ages 10 to 17 are considered overweight or obese.
Combs is now urging schools, workplaces and local community programs to invest in obesity prevention and intervention initiatives.
Texas Comptroller Susan Combs says obesity costs Texas businesses $9.5 billion each year due to absenteeism, decreased productivity, disability and health insurance costs.
The report released Monday shows that if the obesity rate and health care costs continue to increase, the cost to businesses could reach $32.5 billion by 2030.
Two thirds of adult Texans and just over 20 percent of Texas children ages 10 to 17 are considered overweight or obese.
Combs is now urging schools, workplaces and local community programs to invest in obesity prevention and intervention initiatives.
