Longitudinal Medical Costs and Hospitalization Risk Associated With Sustained Obesity.

This article examines the association of sustained obesity and sustained severe obesity with longitudinal medical expenditures and hospitalization risk among adults aged 17-64 years continuously enrolled in commercial insurance from 2013 to 2020. Using linked ambulatory electronic medical records and medical claims data, the study found that excess annual medical expenditures and relative risk of hospitalization increased substantially over eight years for individuals with sustained obesity compared to those with sustained healthy weight, with more pronounced effects among those with severe obesity, females, and adults aged 40-64 years. The findings highlight a compounding effect of sustained obesity on healthcare costs and hospitalizations over time, underscoring the importance of early and equitable interventions to promote healthy lifestyles and improve access to effective obesity treatment. Limitations include the study's focus on privately insured individuals and observational design, which precludes causal inference.