By Roni Cayn Rabin
The New York Times
NEW YORK — Obese Americans spend about 42 percent more on health care than normal-weight Americans, according to a new study based on 2006 figures.
Medical spending on obesity-related conditions is estimated to have reached $147 billion a year in 2008, according to the new study, published online on Monday in the journal Health Affairs. That figure represents almost 10 percent of all medical spending, the study found.
Obese Americans spend about $1,429 more on health care each year than the roughly $3,400 spent by normal-weight Americans.
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