The Hidden Price of Being Overweight - This Week on AOL Health

by AOL Health Editors (Subscribe to AOL Health Editors's posts)
Sep 1st 2009 11:00AM

woman browsing through toiletries in her medicine cabinet

Photo: Janet Kimber, Getty Images

In these economic times, do you really want to pay the price of being overweight? Carrying around extra pounds can add up to extra dollars spent on everything from plane tickets and gas to prescription drugs and health care coverage. This week on AOL Health, we uncover these surprising financial costs and emotional burdens that the obese often have to carry.

Comments (2)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jacque 9-16-2009 @ 4:21PM

As a previous smoker, I have to applaud some decisions (such as health insurance costing more for obese people). I find it very frustrating that everything else in the "sin' catagory is a disease, from drug addiction to obesity- but smokers are just a bunch of losers that don't think of anyone else. It's all a choice, not a disease. Just as I made the decision to smoke, they made the decision to put the food in their mouths. When are we going to get off this 'disease" kick and take some personal responsiblity? Health insurance should cost more for the obese...it sure did for me when I smoked.

Courtney 9-21-2009 @ 9:30PM

You are right in the fact that you had the choice to go to the store and purchase the smokes of your choice and light it up. The obese individuals don't have that kind of choice. They have to deal with the hand that they are dealt and hereditary, which the last time I checked, wasn't by choice. Ignorance is what leads you to your inaccurate accusations. So, before you decide you are greater than the rest of us, go to your local library and read up on obesity before posting another ignorant message of no worth!