TITLE:
Obesity trends in Russia. The impact on health and healthcare costs
AUTHORS:
Ketevan Rtveladze, Tim Marsh, Laura Webber, Fanny Kilpi, Yevgeniy Goryakin, Anna Kontsevaya, Antonina Starodubova, Klim McPherson, Martin Brown
KEYWORDS:
Obesity; Trends; Russia; Health; Healthcare; Costs
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.4 No.12A,
December
31,
2012
ABSTRACT: Similar to most developed countries, obesity rates inRussiahave
been steadily increasing. This has led to a high burden of obesity related
diseases and associated healthcare costs. The micro-simulation model has been
utilized to project body mass index (BMI) and BMI related disease burden and
healthcare costs. Incidence, mortality, survival and healthcare costs were
collected for thirteen diseases. The results have been simulated for 3
hypothetical scenarios to project a potential impact of policy interventions: 1)
assuming no reduction in BMI; 2) 1% reduction in mean BMI across the
population; 3) 5% reduction in mean BMI across the population. Nearly 58% of the female population was obese
(BMI ≥30 kg/m2) or overweight
(BMI 25 -29.9 kg/m2) in 2010,
and the prevalence is projected to decrease to 54% in 2050. The rates are predicted
to increase for men from 51% in 2010 to 76% in 2050. The prevalence rates will
triple for some obesity-related diseases. A one percent decrease in BMI across
the population will save more than two billion US Dollars in 2030 and 2050. Despite
female obesity prevalence starting at a higher point than the men, obesity is
predicted to increase in males but not females. Disease and economic burden
attributed to these obesity rates are still severe and the country should implement
strong policies to tackle the obesity epidemic.