The Economic Cost of Obesity: A Cost-of-Illness Study in Greece

Obesity represents a significant public health and economic problem worldwide. In Greece, where the prevalence of adult obesity is among the highest in Europe, no prior study has examined its economic impact among adults. This study estimates the total economic burden of obesity in Greece for 2024, adopting a societal perspective and considering both direct and indirect costs.

A prevalence-based, top-down cost-of-illness approach was used. Direct costs included obesity pharmacotherapy, bariatric surgery, weight-loss supplements, and 33 obesity-related comorbidities. Indirect costs encompassed productivity losses due to absenteeism, presenteeism, and premature mortality. Epidemiological, demographic, clinical, and cost data were retrieved from national and international sources. Population-attributable fractions were used to link obesity with comorbidity costs. All costs were adjusted to 2024 euros. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses assessed the robustness of the base-case results.

The total economic burden of obesity in Greece for 2024 was estimated at €4.92 billion, equivalent to 2.07% of GDP. Direct medical costs accounted for €2.593 billion (52.71%), with obesity-related comorbidities representing 99.6% of this amount. Indirect costs totalled €2.327 billion, driven primarily by premature mortality (€1.30 billion). Absenteeism and presenteeism costs were €469 million and €555 million, respectively. Sensitivity analyses confirmed robustness, with total costs averaging €4.89 billion (95% CI: €3.21-€7.29 billion).

Obesity imposes a considerable economic burden on Greece, threatening the sustainability of the healthcare system and broader social well-being. Immediate and drastic coordinated, multisectoral, and multidisciplinary strategies are needed to curb the prevalence and fiscal impact of obesity.