Objective: The objective of this study was to quantify the healthcare costs per unit increase in body mass index (BMI).
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 35,932 employees and spouses in a manufacturing company who participated in an indemnity/PPO plan and one health risk appraisal during 2001 and 2002.
Results: Within the BMI range of 25 to 45 kg/m2, medical costs and pharmaceutical costs increased $119.7 (4%) and $82.6 (7%) per BMI unit, respectively, adjusted for age and gender. The adjusted medical costs related to diabetes and heart disease increased by $6.2 and $20.3 per BMI unit. The likelihood of having any medical claim increased 11.6% per BMI unit for diabetes and 5.2% for heart disease.
Conclusions: Each unit increase in BMI is associated with higher healthcare costs and increased likelihood of having claims for most major diagnostic codes and for diabetes and heart diseases.