The health economics of obesity in Ireland

Abstract

An abundant literature exists linking obesity to a range of health conditions as well as premature mortality (Calle et al., 1999, Larsson et al., 1984, Jagielski et al., 2014, Kearns et al., 2014, Pi-Sunyer, 1999, Reilly et al., 2003, Garrow, 1999, Guh et al., 2009). Excessive body weight has also been linked with a range of psycho-social issues inlcuding low self esteem, stigmatisation, discrimination and a range of mental health problems (Puhl and Brownell, 2003, Dove et al., 2009, Ozmen et al., 2007). The rising prevalence of obesity and the consequences in terms of health and wellbeing as well as economic welfare have prompted this thesis. Rather than providing an exhaustive examination of one specific issue this thesis seeks to explore a number of inter-related issues to demonstrate the breadth to which obesity impacts on lives and the complexity of the interrelationships those impacts can have. This thesis examines the role of different adiposity measurements in determining the relationship between obesity and service use in Ireland, what factors influence the values attached to alternative treatment modalities as well as how we infer cost effectiveness from other jurisdictions and what impact obesity has upon children in the school environment. .