Prevalence of obesity-related multimorbidity and its health care costs among adults in the United States

The prevalence of obesity-related multimorbidity increased with increasing weight classes within age groups. Obesity-related multimorbidity presented at an earlier age with higher weight class, such that the predicted probability of having obesity-related multimorbidity was more than a decade younger in class 2 and class 3 obesity compared with overweight. It was associated with increased HCRU and higher-than-expected costs exceeding the sum for the ORCs. Early diagnosis and treatment of obesity may be needed to prevent or delay the onset of obesity-related multimorbidity and limit its associated health care costs.