A passenger waits for a delayed flight at
Heathrow airport's terminal four in London's Heathrow
airport.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Preventing obesity can save lives, but doesn't save money. It is
becasue people live longer, then they cost the health system more,
according to a Dutch study Monday.
The Dutch study counters the common perception that preventing
obesity would save governments millions of dollars.
In a paper published online in the Public Library of Science
Medicine journal, Dutch researchers found that the health costs of
thin and healthy people in adulthood are more expensive than those
of either fat people or smokers.
"This throws a bucket of cold water onto the idea that obesity
is going to cost trillions of dollars," said Patrick Basham, a
professor of health politics at Johns Hopkins University who was
unconnected to the study.
He said that government projections about obesity costs are
frequently based on guesswork, political agendas, and changing
science.
"If we're going to worry about the future of obesity, we should
stop worrying about its financial impact," he said.
(Agencies via Xinhua February 5, 2008)
