Excellus Report Details Obesity’s Impact On Health Care Spending [VIDEO]

Two out of three adults in the Utica-Rome/North Country Region are either overweight or obese.

That's according to a new report from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

The report also shows excess annual healthcare spending in the region attributed to being overweight or obese is estimated at $424 million.

“The preponderance of overweight and obesity in upstate New York comes at a cost,” said Frank Dubeck, M.D., Excellus BCBS vice president and chief medical officer for Medical Policy. “Individuals who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop serious medical conditions that can affect their quality of life and also contribute to the rising cost of health care.”

While New York state's adult obesity rate is just under 25%, the report predicts it's on pace to hit 50% by 2030.