A Heavy Weight Crisis: The Economic Burden of Obesity Comorbid with Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Volume 4, February 2010
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In the United States, overall rates of obesity have spiked sharply in the past four decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than thirty percent of Americans are now obese. Moreover, obesity is the cause of at least 300,000 deaths in the United States every year.
Surprisingly, many of those suffering from obesity may be unaware that excessive weight can be a symptom of an often undetected eating disorder called Binge Eating Disorder (BED). The nation's top eating disorder — more common than bulimia and anorexia — BED imposes a serious public health problem.
Although binge eaters are typically presumed to be women, current data suggests that men are also affected by this eating disorder. While the majority of binge eaters would like to find solutions for this debilitating and secret disorder, the stigma surrounding overweight and eating disorders often prevents them from seeking treatment. As a result, the disorder remains largely undiagnosed and untreated.
Obesity is also often comorbid with a host of other conditions, such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, and obstructive sleep apnea. According to a 2009 Research Report, "Chronic Conditions and Comorbid Psychological Disorders," issued by Milliman, comorbid psychological disorders consistently drive up health care costs — with approximately 80 percent of these increased costs being medical costs, rather than behavioral service costs.
As the prevalence of obesity has increased, so have related health care costs. Today, obesity costs approximately $150 billion annually and represents a significant and growing costly public health burden.
Employers often don't realize that employees are binge eaters, or that the disorder has a serious impact on health and productivity in the workplace. In the United States, BED is estimated to be responsible for $33 billion in lost productivity and medical expenses annually. To this end, employers are working to find more effective strategies for reaching individuals who suffer from obesity and binge eating.
Health plans and employers understand the importance of implementing safe, cost effective, scalable, and confidential options for management of binge eating disorder. One such option is adding a Digital Health Coaching System. HealthMedia® Overcoming™ Binge Eating uses evidence-based techniques to help individuals stop binge eating and compulsive eating, battle obesity, and improve their overall quality of life. Through a series of interactive exercises, participants establish a pattern of regular meals and snacks, while learning strategies to curb urges to overeat. HealthMedia® Overcoming™ Binge Eating also helps each participant challenge and change the negative thoughts and beliefs that create a predisposition towards binge eating.
Measurable benefits include:
- Reduced health-related costs and ancillary medical costs
- Improved productivity
- Reduced disability claims
Program outcomes include:
- 53% of participants reported decreased episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food
- 51% of participants reported a decreased sense of having lost control of eating
- 40% of participants reported a reduction in frequency of binge eating episodes
- 35% of participants reported an increase in their confidence to manage binge eating
Given the magnitude of this growing burden on the US health care system, and the need to address the over-reaching health problems associated with obesity, it is critical that early intervention and effective treatment solutions be identified and implemented.
Participant self-reported results at 6 months. Productivity savings data was calculated using the Work Productivity Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire, which employs a validated algorithm to generate an estimate of productivity impairment. The WPAI consists of questions about absence from work, hours actually worked, the reduction in productivity at work, and the reduction in productivity while performing regular activities. Productivity savings is calculated using an average annual salary and benefits package of $50,000.