Obesity means heavier burden on hospitals

Why important?
During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. Since 1990 the rate of obesity among adults in Hawaii has doubled. This trend is reflected in the increase in the number of hospitalizations where obesity is a co-existing condition. 

Economic impact
The economic impact of obesity on our healthcare system is reflected in the hospitalization data.  Patients that are hospitalized with obesity as a co-existing condition remain in the hospital about 1.5 days longer than the hospitalized patient without obesity.  In 2007, patients with obesity incurred approximately $10,000 more in charges per discharge than the patient without obesity.

Differences in patient characteristics
Those with obesity as a co-existing diagnosis were generally older (ages 35-74) and more likely of the Hawaiian race.
 
Other views
• By year
• By county
• By average charge per discharge
• By average length of stay
• By age distribution
• By race
• By payer

Data notes
ICD9 codes: 278.00-278.01

Source of data
Hawaii – HHIC Online Reports, Inpatient Database.  Information based on 2007 hospitalizations unless otherwise noted.