Preventing obesity and smoking can save lives, but it doesn't save money, reported researchers. "It was a small surprise, for it is against the common belief," said Pieter Van Baal, who led the study. "But it makes sense. If you live longer, then you cost the health system more." 

The researchers found that from age 20 to 56, obese people racked up the most expensive health costs. But on average, healthy people lived 84 years. Smokers lived about 77 years, and obese people lived about 80 years. Smokers and obese people tended to have more heart disease than healthy people. Therefore in the long run, the thin and healthy group cost about $417, 000, from age 20 on. Smokers cost about $326, 000 and obese people $371, 000. 

"The result throws a bucket of cold water onto the idea, based on guesswork, that obesity is going to cost trillions of dollars," said Patrick Basham, a professor of health politics. "If we're going to worry about the future of obesity, we should stop worrying about its financial impact," he said. 

"The benefits of obesity prevention may not be seen immediately in terms of cost saving in tomorrow's budget, but there are long-term gains," said Van Baal. "These are often immeasurable when it comes to people living longer and healthier lives." In the meanwhile, he said that governments should recognize that successful smoking and obesity prevention programs mean that people will have a longer chance of dying of something more expensive later in life. 

"Lung cancer is a cheap disease to treat because people don't survive very long. But if they are old enough to get Alzheimer's one day, they may survive longer and cost more. We are not advising that governments stop trying to prevent obesity," Van Baal said. "But they should do it for the right reasons." QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. What age group of obese people cost the most money to the healthcare system?
2. Between what ages do obese people put the most financial strain on the healthcare system?
3. For what age group of obese people are healthcare costs their most expensive?
Q2:
1. What was the length of a smoker's life?
2. How long did someone who smokes regularly live?
3. At what age did smokers tend to die?
Q3:
1. What was the length of an obese person's life?
2. How long did obese people live?
3. At what age did obese people tend to pass away?
Q4:
1. How much money did healthcare of a smoker tend to cost?
2. What was the average amount of money that smokers' healthcare cost?
3. What was the average total cost of healthcare for a smoker?
Q5:
1. How much money did healthcare of a fit and healthy person tend to cost?
2. What was the average amount of money that thin and healthy people's healthcare cost?
3. What was the average total cost of healthcare for a healthy person that is in shape?
Q6:
1. How much does Patrick Basham say that obesity is going to cost?
2. What amount of money does Patrick Basham state that obesity will cost?
3. How much in dollars does Patrick Basham say that obesity will cost?
Q7:
1. What was the average length of life for a health person?
2. How long did a person in good health generally live?
3. At what age did healthy people tend to pass away?
Q8:
1. What did Patrick Basham do for a living?
2. How was Patrick Basham employed?
3. What was the occupation of Patrick Basham?
Q9:
1. What does Patrick Basham say we should stop worrying about?
2. What shouldn't we worry so much about, according to Patrick Basham?
3. What does Patrick Basham believe we should cool our jets concerning?
Q10:
1. Are there immediate benefits to obesity prevention?
2. Are the benefits of preventing obesity immediately visible?
3. Is it very quickly obvious how beneficial preventing obesity is?
