One of the biggest considerations in our nation’s health and in the viability of our health care system is the epidemic of obesity, one that is largely dependent on lifestyle. In every state, at least one-fifth of the population is obese, with percentages ranging from 20.5% in Colorado to 34.7% in Louisiana, according to 2012 number from the CDC, with a national prevalence of over one-third of the population.
In contrast, the European Union recorded an obesity rate of 16.6% among adults 18 and older, with Hungary, the country with the highest percentage (28.5%), ranking significantly below the United States, though it is on the rise, according to Deutsche Welle.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute lists among the risks of overweight and obesity coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and cancer – some major morbidities burdening our system. “The estimated annual health care costs of obesity-related illness are a staggering $190.2 billion or nearly 21% of annual medical spending in the United States,” asserts the National League of Cities’ Institute for Youth, Education and Families.
With over a third of our population struggling with obesity, over a fifth of our health care dollars go to treating its effects. With that kind of toll on our nation’s pocketbooks, what kind of effect is it having on effectiveness of care? The good thing is obesity is preventable and with the right education, it shouldn’t be such a burden on our health care system.
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
http://www.dw.de/rising-eu-obesity-rings-alarm-bells-in-brussels/a-16821112
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/obe/risks.html
This article has 4 comments
August 13, 2014
I BELIEVE GOOD EATING HABITS BEGIN AT AN EARLY AGE… AS WE MATURE, IT BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT, AND PEOPLE BECOME USED TO THEIR CONTINUED LIFESTYLE… WITH TECHNOLOGY ALL AROUND US, MANY PEOPLE HAVE BECOME UNMOTIVATED TO EXERCISE IN ANY FORM, EVEN AS SIMPLE AS A BEAUTIFUL WALK, ENJOYING THE OUTDOORS… WE TEND TO SNACK MORE WHEN WE ARE GLUED TO THIS FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT ALSO… THE PART OF OUR BRAIN NEEDING IMMEDIATE SATISFACTION TAKES OVER…
UNFORTUNATELY, MANY PROVIDERS DON’T ENCOURAGE LIFESTYLE CHANGES FOR PREVENTION OF ILLNESS… THEREFORE, WE NEED TO EDUCATE OURSELVES AND PRACTICE AND INCORPORATE HEALTHY HABITS INTO OUR LIVES ON AN ON-GOING BASIS…
August 15, 2014
As you know, it isn’t just an adult problem. In fact, childhood obesity is a massive issue for our healthcare system (and population generally). We are working with a company to raise money to roll out a boarding school program (currently one in operation) that helps kids in grades 6th – 12th. At the school, they not only get educated academically but are helped in all ways (physical, educational, mental) to address their obesity. Novel program with great promise.
August 15, 2014
Adults know what they should and should not eat for the most part, but children do not and learn by example. Start in the school cafeteria and get children involved in gardening in the classroom. 70% of disease is environmental and modifiable or preventable, and 30% is genetic. Those are great odds of having a healthy future with minor changes in lifestyle and a worthwhile investment in our future. Dietician consults should be covered by insurance BEFORE onset of obesity related diseases. Employing a dietician in large primary care clinics would be an invaluable asset to wellness. I tell patients to, “eat from the earth, not from a box” along with informational nutrition handouts and ask about their diet every time I see them. I am a Physiatrist with a clinical focus in chronic pain management, not a PCP, and I talk about food, lifestyle and body habitus and how they impact chronic pain with every patient. 90% of the patients I see are overweight or obese.
August 18, 2014
It is clear that obesity is the epidemic of this century and will get reduce our life expectancy. It is obvious that obesity exists since the beginning of our civilization. It is obvious that obesity increases with the increase in our wealth. It is obvious that obesity is a very profitable business of food companies. It is obvious that obesity is a health problem that is multifactorial. It is apparent that the solution is so difficult that is not currently known, these are the current evidence, but there may be more.