A growing market. As obesity rates rise, so do the opportunities for marketers of specialized services

Authors

Aravind R. Nemarkommula, University of North Texas Health Science Center
Karan P. Singh, University of North Texas Health Science Center
Kristine Lykens, University of North Texas Health Science Center
Peter E. Hilsenrath, University of North Texas Health Science CenterFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Marketing Health Services

ISSN

1094-1304

Volume

23

Issue

4

First Page

34

Last Page

38

Publication Date

Winter 2003

Abstract

Almost two out of three American adults are currently classified as overweight or obese, and the skyrocketing economic cost of obesity in the United States includes direct medical costs (estimated at 5%-7% of national health expenditures), lost productivity of workers, and other often intangible but real costs. And the phenomenon of obesity is spreading at an alarming rate, not just in industrialized countries but also in developing countries, where it exists alongside malnutrition. While the advent of such widespread obesity is well-known, what is less well-known is the impact that this epidemic is having on suppliers of medical services. This article helps provide some insight into the impact of obesity on medical care with a case study of the market for bariatric hospital beds and related services.

Comments

PMID: 14658362

Recommended Citation

Nemarkommula, A. R., Singh, K. P., Lykens, K., & Hilsenrath, P. E. (2003). A growing market. As obesity rates rise, so do the opportunities for marketers of specialized services. Marketing Health Services, 23(4), 34–38.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/esob-facarticles/24