Surplus Calories Cost Much More Than You Think (But How Much More?)

Posted by Sean | Posted under Ramblings | August 29, 2008

via The Frugalista Files, Alabama to hit obese workers with ‘fat fee’

Alabama is giving its employees until 2010 to meet BMI guidelines, or pay an extra $25/month for health insurance.

Here’s what I found interesting:

"Ashmore said research shows someone with a body mass index of 35 to 39 generates $1,748 more in annual medical expenses than someone with a BMI of less than 25, which is considered normal."

$1,748 per year adds up, especially if compounded.

It is definitely worth rethinking the real cost of food…

I don’t know how many calories are consumed by people with BMI >35 vs. BMI < 25. But according to Wikipedia, in the last three decades, as obesity doubled, women ate 335 more calories per day, and men ate 168 more calories per day.

Say the difference in calories is 250 per day.

On a yearly basis that equals 90,000 calories.

Junk calories are cheap, maybe $1 per 300 calories?

Yet health costs are roughly $5.83 per 300 calories!

($1,748 health costs / 90,000 calories ) * 300 calories

So the true cost of a "$1 special" fast food item with 450 calories would be $10, if it increases your health risks. $1 at the cash register, plus $9 at the doctor’s office, the emergency room, etc.

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2 Comments so far

Dawn August 29, 2008 12:27 pm

Hmmm… interesting thought. It makes my 45 minute walks I just started doing again seem like a very, very good investment!
Uncommonadvice August 31, 2008 10:32 am

If they didn’t this in the UK i’d be bankrupt in weeks!

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