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Obesity and the US Healthcare Crisis

Individual Responsibility can have an Effect on Healthcare Spending

Feb 6, 2009 Bradley Allen Ritzenthaler

Whether the United States changes the current healthcare system or not, there are steps the average American can take to do his part in decreasing costs.

Healthcare costs are increasing at 6.9%, twice the rate of inflation. Total healthcare spending was $2.4 trillion in 2007, 17% of GDP. If present trends continue, healthcare spending in the United States will increase to $4.3 trillion by 2017; 20% of projected GDP (National Coalition on Health Care). In a study reported by Health Affairs in 2004, 12% of the total healthcare cost could be directly attributed to obesity.

The Cost of Obesity

Even if a presumption is made that the percentage of healthcare cost due to obesity remains constant at 12%, the costs of healthcare contributed directly by obesity in 2007 were $28.8 billion. The cost of obesity by 2017 will be $51.6 billion, a 79% increase.

Measuring Obesity

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a calculation using a person’s weight and height to measure body fat. A measurement of 25 – 29.9 is considered overweight; above 30 is considered obese. To calculate BMI use the CDC BMI calculator.

The Prevalence of Obesity in the United States

In 1994, the first year the CDC reports data for all 50 states, no state had more than 20% of its population obese. Since 1994, there has been a steady rise in the percentage of people who are obese. By 2007 only one state had an obese population of less than 20% (Colorado). Twenty-seven states had an obesity rate of 25% - 29% and 3 states were greater than 30%. Furthermore, The National Center for Health Statistics states that 66.3% of the United States population has a BMI greater than 25. Two thirds of the United States is either overweight or obese.

What Can Americans Do?

It cannot be left up to the healthcare industry to solve this problem. Healthcare practitioners can facilitate weight loss and treat conditions caused by obesity, but they cannot lose the weight for each individual. The solution to the problem has to fall in the hands of the people who own it.

The Office of the Surgeon General of the United States gives three guidelines for fighting obesity.

Aim for a Healthy Weight.

If overweight, lose weight gradually – ½ to 2 pounds per week.

Be Active.

Adults should have 30 minutes of activity per day and children 60 minutes per day.

Eat Well.

Follow the dietary guidelines at www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines

In the words of President John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country”. When it comes to solving increasing healthcare costs, the average American does not have the ability to affect large scale change, but they can do their small share by maintaining a healthy weight. It is a win/win solution.

The copyright of the article Obesity and the US Healthcare Crisis in Health Field is owned by Bradley Allen Ritzenthaler. Permission to republish Obesity and the US Healthcare Crisis in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Weight Scale