In 2000 alone, the U.S. spent nearly $120 billion on direct and indirect costs attributable to obesity.
	Obesity accounts for around 7% of all healthcare expenditures -- and the annual total is climbing.
	Additional costs stem from lost productivity, missed work days/school days.
	Obesity-related costs are incurred by individuals, insurers, businesses, states and nations.
	Overweight and obesity in the U.S. now surpass tobacco in their negative effects on health and health costs.

Overweight/obesity account for:

	36% higher inpatient and outpatient costs.
	77% higher medication costs. (True for both the overweight and obese.)

Hospital costs attributed to child obesity quadrupled from 1980 to the late 1990s.

Given its epidemic status and many medical consequences, funding for research on obesity is minuscule.