Cost of Obesity

The Cost of Obesity

Introduction

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30% of Arizonans are obese. That means one in every three adults has a body mass index greater than thirty. All over the country people are not getting enough nutritious foods to eat or the amount of daily exercise that their body needs. People can inherit the tendency to be over weight, but can also become addicted to compulsive eating (Maisto & Morris). Many people use food as a way to comfort themselves to mask bigger problems (job loss, family/marital issues or even just the fact that they are fat). Being overweight can be deadly. The extra weight increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease and many types of cancer. Our economy cannot afford to be spending billions of dollars on already expensive health care. These health risks then lead increased doctor visits and eventually lead to a rise in health care costs.

The Result of Inactivity

Obesity is described as the fastest growing public health challenge the nation has ever faced and its rapid increase has crossed all socio-economic groups. According to Kenneth E. Thorpe, Ph.D. of Emory University, executive director of Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, obesity is growing faster than any previous public health issue our nation has faced. If the current trends continue, 103 million American adults will be considered obese by 2018. Researchers, John Cawley of Cornell University and Chad Meyerhoefer of Lehigh University, estimate that obesity-related medical costs will reach $147 billion, or nine percent of total medical costs (Strobbe). According to many health professionals, a healthy person's medical costs will increase by forty two percent due to obesity. It is projected that by the year 2013 nearly 37 % of Arizonans will be obese and if the current obesity trend continues, by the year 2018 nearly 45.1 % of Arizona's population will be obese (Thorpe). Thorpe also projects that in 2013 almost 2,812 million dollars will be spent on obesity-attributable health care for Arizona and by 2018, if the trend continues; Arizona will spend 7,881 million dollars on obesity- attributable health care (for a complete breakdown of every state see Appendix). If obesity levels are halted, there could be an economic benefit of 198 billion dollars in the United States in 2018 (Thorpe).

Domino Effect

America is considered to be one of the fattest countries in the world. Fast food restaurants (if you even consider it a restaurant since you drive up to a window to get your pre-cooked, deep fried meal) are as frequent as gas stations. People are exercising less and cannot afford to make these unhealthy meal choices. The lack of exercise and a balanced healthy diet leads to an unhealthy, obese individual. Obesity can then cause many health problems: heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure and premature death (CDC). These health problems then lead to increased doctor visits and check ups. And who pays for these doctor visits? Mostly, insurance companies cover those costs, whether it is through a company provided by work, a private company, Medicare or Medicaid. With the increase in bills comes an increase in health care costs. The increase in health care then leads to a rise in taxes to help cover the rising costs. Obesity is directly related to the cost of heath care and as obesity levels rise, so do taxes and the cost of health insurance.

Medicare vs. Medicaid

Medicare and Medicaid are two totally different healthcare programs with one similarity; Medicare and Medicaid programs are government programs created as part of the Social Security Act of 1965.

Medicare:

Medicare is a federally funded and administered program that provides health insurance for people over sixty-five and for those who are on Social Security disability. Qualifications are based on age and/or disability. It provides coverage for hospitalization, doctors and other types of medical expenses, except for coverage for a nursing home or other long-term care (MAPP). The additional Medicare costs for an obese person typically result from the added prescription drug benefits. Nearly 8.5 percent of Medicare expenses are due to obesity related costs and Medicare prescription drug payments for obese patients amount to approximately 600 dollars per year more than for people at a healthy weight (Obesity America). Medicare will not recognize obesity as a disease, however; it does cover treatment when obesity results from a disease and when weight loss is medically necessary to treat a disease such as, diabetes or heart disease (Library Index).

Medicaid:

Medicaid is a health insurance program financed and run jointly by the federal and state governments. It is for people of low-income of all ages who do not have the money or insurance to pay for health care. Qualification is based on "need for care" and financial need. Single, unmarried, individuals must be broke (below $2,000 in most states (MAPP). Unlike Medicare, Medicaid provides benefits for long-term nursing home care, and, in many states, benefits for other types of long- term care (MAPP). Almost twelve percent of Medicaid expenses are due to obesity related costs (Obesity America). Ten states do not include specific coverage for nutrition assessment and counseling for obese or overweight children in their Medicaid programs.

Preventing Obesity

Although many states, including Arizona, have obesity prevention plans, they are focused on the will of the individual. If this individual had the will power, then they would not be over weight in the first place. After reading through many different plans, California's Obesity Prevention Plan should be implemented throughout the country. California's plan does not just focus on the individual but involves outside sources like the government to help make changes. Governor Schwarzenegger created a ten step vision that recognizes and addresses the rising obesity epidemic that would require using the government, businesses, community organizations, families and individuals in order to achieve a national model for healthier living.

California's 10 Step Vision:

1. Californians will understand the importance of physical activity and healthy eating, and they will make healthier choices based on their understanding.

2. Every day, every child will participate in physical activity.

3. California's adults will be physically active every day.

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