Losing Weight Will Fatten Your Bank Account

A study finds obesity costs a woman more than half-a-million dollars over her lifetime. Traneica Curry lost 110 pounds and got two promotions. Now she wants her money back.

Warning: Losing Weight Will Fatten Your Bank Account

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The cost of obesity is measured not just in health, but in wealth. Researchers at the George Washington University School of Medicine added it up.

They found an obese man loses $2,626 per year because of his weight, while an obese woman loses $4,879 each year. Invested at 5 percent over a 40-year career, that would mean an extra $623,730 for her retirement.

"I don't think that's fair at all," says Traneica Curry of New Orleans, La. Curry lost 110 pounds and got two promotions at her job with the USDA. "An obese person is looked at as slow, not productive, lazy," she says. "But I'm the same person I was in that big-person body… and have the same work ethic."

She admits, though, that she also has more energy and more confidence now. "When I'm interviewing I sit up straight," she says. "I know I look good. You're happy, more assertive."

The study found that a woman's earning potential is affected much more by obesity than a man's. But both genders have higher expenses because of their weight. Medical costs are higher, so are costs for clothing and shoes. Even the gasoline to carry the extra weight adds up over the years.

Traneica did not lose the weight for financial reasons. High blood pressure and diabetes run on both sides of her family. Her grandmother died of complications from diabetes before she was 60. Two years ago, Traneica was 275 pounds. She was already on high-blood pressure medication and her doctor told her it was only a matter of time before she became diabetic.

She elected to have bariatric surgery, specifically a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, which her doctor says is often the best choice for people who need to lose around 100 pounds. It not only reduces the amount a person can eat, but it cuts hunger cravings.

Still, Traneica says "it's work," getting the weight off and keeping it off. Her surgeon, Thomas Lavin, MD, says the surgery is a tool, but it's up to the patient to use that tool properly.

Traneica is now off the high-blood-pressure medication, and Dr. Lavin says if she keeps the weight off, she no longer has to worry about diabetes. And, as a significant bonus, she can look forward to a bigger bank balance at her retirement.

Great article and I believe it is true. I was getting back in touch with some old colleagues and former employees recently and many of them are much higher in their careers than I am. These are people who used to work for me that are now VPs where I am in the same role I was in then. I am certain my weight caused this. If you are not presentable or if it is uncomfortable for you to travel or you are sweaty all the time, you will not likely go far in your career.

I have about 40lbs more to go, then it  is time to amp up the career.

BTW I love that bikini pic of you! Hot!

I've recently been interviewing for jobs,a Nd got three offers in one week. I accepted an excellent offer and have started my new job.

i think being thinner definitely played a part!

I watch her videos on YouTube. It's sad that being overweight costs money career wise.

This is interesting. I don't feel as though my weight has ever played a role in getting a job or promotions; however, I guess I'll never know if it was discussed or not during the hiring process. I'm only 27, so it's not like I have decades of experience; however, I have interviewed for a about 7 jobs since I started working 10 years ago and I have been offered all but one. I just recently received a promotion around the time I was at my absolute heaviest.

It certainly has been a concern for me though. I worry about how presentable I may or may not look when I meet people in a another department for the first time or one of the higher level VPs. I have a job that requires me to conduct training sessions too and I realize I don't look as professional as others due to my weight. If getting thinner helps me even more in the future, then I'm all for it!