The economic costs of overweight and obesity in 2060 will exceed next year's defense spending.

The economic costs of obesity and overweight will amount to 4.86% of Poland's GDP in 2060, warns the Polish Economic Institute (PIE), reporting that nearly 65% ​​of adult Poles struggle with these conditions. For comparison, Poland's planned defense spending next year is approximately 4.7% of GDP.

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The Polish Economic Institute (PIE) noted that obesity and overweight are not only a health problem but also a burden on the entire global economy. "A study conducted based on data from 161 countries estimated that in 2019, the economic costs of obesity and overweight amounted to 2.19% of global GDP, with the United States accounting for nearly 38% of the global costs associated with this phenomenon," the PIE reported.

He added that, assuming the current trend continues, the costs of obesity and overweight will rise globally to 3.29% by 2060. Their share of the European Union's GDP will increase from 2.16% in 2019 to 3.02% in 2060. The economic costs of these conditions in Poland amounted to 2.58% of GDP in 2019, but are projected to increase to 4.86% by 2060. This would place Poland second among EU member states. Bulgaria would be first, with estimates suggesting it could reach 7.08% of GDP.

The largest increase in these costs is expected to be concentrated in low- and middle-income countries. In some cases, they could increase 25-fold. "This is due to the dynamic socioeconomic changes taking place in these countries, including intensive urbanization, a shift to office work, and a decline in physical activity. Furthermore, these countries tend to consume high-calorie diets, rich in fat, sugars, and salt, but low in valuable nutrients," explains the PIE.

The Institute cited estimates that between 2020 and 2050, OECD countries will allocate up to 8% of their health budgets to treating obesity-related complications. According to the Institute, a solution to this problem could be taxing products high in fat, sugar, and salt. Currently, this solution is in force in various forms in 12 EU countries. "The European Commission is currently considering harmonizing these taxes across the EU," the Institute reported.

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