This project will use advanced statistical techniques to quantify the immediate and long-term economic consequences of childhood and adolescent obesity, and examine pathways through which obesity imposes such costs. A range of costs will be investigated, including direct health care costs, losses in productivity and less tangible economic costs to the individual during adulthood, such as reduced employment opportunities, lower income and poorer quality of life. Such evidence is central to understanding the potential benefits of childhood obesity prevention measures, and will help to identify opportunities to promote a healthy start to life and reduce long-term inequalities.