APAC obesity gap leaves employers with higher claims

Many health plans do not cover obesity medicines, treatments or surgery unless tied to another condition.

Asia-Pacific (APAC) is facing growing health and insurance costs as obesity rates rise, with about one billion people, or two in five adults, now living with overweight or obesity.

According to MAXIS Global Benefits Network (GBN), as reported by WTW, the increase in obesity is leading to more claims linked to chronic diseases rather than obesity itself, adding pressure on employers through higher medical costs and lower workplace productivity.

Obesity continues to be treated as a lifestyle issue rather than a chronic disease in many APAC markets, meaning most health insurance plans do not cover anti-obesity medicines, treatments or surgery unless they are prescribed for related medical conditions. Public funding remains limited and healthcare providers continue to prioritise diet and exercise before medical treatment.

The region has seen obesity rates rise across several markets. Vietnam recorded a 37% increase in obesity rates, whilst nearly one in five adults in Hong Kong is obese and almost half are overweight. Adult obesity rates have also exceeded 30% in Australia and New Zealand.

MAXIS said people living with obesity are two to four times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension and dyslipidaemia. 

Obesity is also associated with sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis, fatty liver disease and several cancers.

These conditions result in longer hospital stays, greater use of medicines and chronic health claims beginning earlier in employees' working lives, the company said.

MAXIS claims data showed APAC ranked second globally in 2025 for endocrine-related paid claims, accounting for 3.5% of total claims spending. 

Diabetes, which is closely linked to obesity, made up 39% of endocrine-related claims spending.

The company said cardiovascular disease, cancer, musculoskeletal conditions and diabetes are the leading drivers of health claims by utilisation across APAC.

Employers are also facing higher levels of absenteeism, presenteeism, mental health conditions and more employees becoming high-cost claimants earlier in their careers.

Research in Indonesia found obesity can reduce productivity and contribute to early retirement, whilst professional workers were 2.7 times more likely to be obese than labour workers.