Study Finds Drug Costs Rise With Weight

Mayo Clinic researchers have learned drug costs for heart-related ailments rise as middle-aged men’s weight goes up.

In a study of 328 men who participated in a health screening, normal-weight men spent an average of $22.84 per month at the pharmacy. Overweight men averaged $39.27 per month, and obese men spent $80.31 per month, which about 3.5 times what their normal-weight counterparts spent.

The researchers studied male business executives, average age 47, who had been sent by their companies to have physical examinations at Mayo Clinic’s Executive Physical program between January 2001 and May 2002.

We did not expect to see such significant health problems so strongly associated with weight, including degenerative joint disease, depression, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and more, Allison said.

The research was presented Sunday at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2004 in New Orleans.