FX.co ★ US to spend over $4 trillion to treat obesity

It is really nice when a government cares about its people not just in words but also in practice. The United States can boast of one of the most large-scale social costs. Besides record sums allocated to health care annually, various extra programs are constantly introduced in the country.

According to the World Obesity Federation (WOF), the US plans to spend whopping $4.2 trillion for fighting obesity. This sum is intended for 8 years. The funds are not charity, but investments in the future. WOF calculations show that by 2025 in the world there will be 2.7 billion overweight adults and 177 million adults with severe obesity. If necessary measures are not taken right now, the global society will have to spend $1.2 trillion annually for treating diseases related to obesity. That is why, investments in the nation’s health are wise. In 2014, obesity treatment cost the United States $325 billion; and by 2025, this figure could increase to $555 billion annually, according to forecasts.

The second place in the list of ten countries with the largest number of overweight people takes China that spends $80 billion to treat obesity every year. China is followed by Germany and Russia with $50 billion and $40 billion, respectively. France, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, and Mexico round up the top ten.