Study Says Being Overweight Hurts Your Finances, Mental State

A new study has found that being overweight can take a huge toll on the finances and the emotional well-being of obese people.

The study, published by the Canadian Obesity Network, showed that, over the past year, people who spent money on weight loss initiatives forked out an average of:


  • $900 on commercial weight loss programs,
  • $766 on gym memberships,
  • $600 on prescription diet pills, and
  • $400 on special diets.

Tally it up, and that’s $2,666 for the year, or $222 a month, spent directly on weight loss efforts.

“Not only does being overweight cost you money to pay for all these things, but it also affects you from a mental health standpoint,” says Richard Coppa, an expert on the links between health and finances, and the head of the financial advisory firm Wealth Health LLC in Roseland, N.J.

Indeed, almost 50% of those surveyed for this study said being overweight has impacted their relationships with friends and family. One in six said they’ve been diagnosed with depression or anxiety.

The study surveyed 524 severely obese Canadians who are age 18 or older. A severely obese person is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or greater; an obese individual has a BMI of 30 or more. Read the rest of Lynnette’s article on WalletPop.


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Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach, is not a certified financial planner, registered investment adviser, or attorney.

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