Study: excess weight and obesity cost Estonia more than €120 million a year
Research by Estonia's Institute for Health Development finds that overweight and obesity cause direct and indirect costs exceeding €120 million annually, with cardiovascular disease as the biggest share.
A new analysis published in the Central European Journal of Public Health estimates that excess weight and obesity cost Estonian society more than €120 million every year. The research team, led by Johann Saavaste at the Institute for Health Development, examined 2021 data on 29 weight-related conditions, including health records, prescription medicines and residents' incomes.
Direct spending on doctor visits, medication and sick leave reached approximately €113 million a year, representing about 7% of total public health expenditure in Estonia. Cardiovascular diseases accounted for the largest portion at €58 million annually. Among individual diagnoses, high blood pressure was the most expensive for the state, costing more than €26 million per year.
The study also showed that higher weight significantly raises costs for the Estonian Health Insurance Fund. Of €125 million in weight-related health fund spending, €50 million is attributed to overweight and more than €74 million to obesity. In addition, the country loses about €12 million each year through indirect costs such as premature death and reduced work capacity.
As of last year, more than 60% of Estonian adults were overweight, with 26% living with obesity. This creates extra pressure on hospitals, as people require more medication and take more sick leave. The researchers conclude that adult excess weight remains a serious burden for the entire healthcare system and economy.
