What is one indirect cost associated with excess weight?

Excess weight can lead to various indirect costs, and mortality represents a significant consequence that can create a broader economic impact. When individuals face obesity-related health issues, it can result in decreased productivity due to long-term illness or premature death. This loss not only affects the individual but also has implications for families, businesses, and society as a whole. Reduced productivity can lead to economic losses through absenteeism and decreased output, thus illustrating how mortality as a result of excess weight carries indirect costs that extend beyond direct medical expenses.

In this context, while increased healthcare costs and higher food expenses are direct consequences of obesity, mortality encompasses more profound societal ramifications, including lost labor force participation and the associated economic impacts. Maintenance of fitness club memberships may not necessarily be linked directly to excess weight in the same way, as individuals of varying weights may or may not pursue fitness activities. Thus, mortality stands out as a unique indirect cost associated with the broader implications of excess weight on individual and community wellbeing.