Obesity Too Big To Ignore: Swiss Re

Because of its links to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and many types of cancer, life insurers can no longer afford to ignore obesity, Swiss Re says.

The growing levels of corpulence run counter to the overall decline in mortality rates seen in most developed nations in recent decades, the study observes. Mortality improvements have been due to progress in medical treatment, a reduction in heart disease and declining tobacco use. But if obesity levels had remained stable, it is likely that mortality would have improved even more, according to the study.

Even though the effects of obesity are expected to be offset by continuing improvement in mortality, insurers need to evaluate its health risks accurately and be sure to charge customers a premium fitting to that risk, Swiss Re concludes.