Obesity epidemic could weigh heavily on insurers

Experts at Lloyds are warning that the global obesity epidemic could have hefty implications for insurers claims payouts.
Some jurisdictions are attempting to hold fast food restaurants liable for the epidemic, causing pre-emptive obesity legislation to be passed, particularly in the U.S., to mitigate the risk of being held on the hook.
In a statement, the firm noted that the World Health Organization points to obesity as one of the worlds leading chronic diseases, with one billion people now regarded as clinically obese.
It is these staggering figures which are concerning insurance claims managers who believe that claims paid to obese people are likely to be significantly more expensive because of the health issues involved, the Lloyds statement says.
There has been wide speculation about whether fast food restaurants have fuelled the obesity epidemic and if they could be forced to offer compensation, the insurer warned.
With support from US insurers, fast food restaurants in the U.S. have been actively promoting legislation which limits the food industrys civil liability in cases where liability is based on weight, the release said.
So far, obesity laws have been passed in 23 states.
According to Guy Carpenters report, The US Liability Report of 2006: A Review of Significant Events in Tort Law: This pre-emptive approach by the restaurant industry may provide a road map for industries confronted with similar allegations which may be deemed to be frivolous by the courts.