This article is ridiculous, sure actual obesity costs are probably a small fraction of overall health costs... but the larger costs come in the form of other health issues caused by obesity -- diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc etc...
The total direct and indirect cost of CVD and stroke in the United States for 2009 is estimated at $475.3 billion. This figure includes health expenditures (direct costs, which include the cost of physicians and other professionals, hospital and nursing home services, prescribed medications, home health care, and other medical durables) and lost productivity resulting from morbidity and mortality (indirect costs). Total hospital costs (inpatients, outpatients, and emergency department patients) projected forthe year 2009 are estimated to be $150.1 billion. ... CVD costs more than any other diagnostic group.