Impact of Obesity of Health Care Costs

About thirty-three years ago obesity was recognized as the most nutritional disease in all prosperous countries. Studies have shown that approximately two out of three Americans are either overweight or obese. Obesity has become an epidemic and the Federal Government states parents, schools, advertisers and genetics have produced this epidemic. Obesity is known to be cause by excessive amount of body fat and is a complicated condition. Additional health issues have been known to be caused by obesity, health issues, such as High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, as well as Heart disease. A person who becomes extremely obese will more than likely have other health issues that are caused from being overweight. When a person’s body weight index (BMI) gets to be 30 or higher, they are diagnosed as obese. When figuring out an individual’s BMI, divide the weight of that person in kilograms by their height in meters.

BMI is not completely accurate, it only provides an estimate of body fat, the reason is because it doesn’t calculate the muscle mass of an athlete. This can place that athlete in the obese category. Obesity should be determined through other means combined with BMI to help be more accurate. Obesity is caused by many factors. It’s been shown that obesity may be due to a person’s genetic makeup and/or any hormonal issues causing the influence weight gain. When a person takes in too many calories than the body can burn off in a day, they can start to add weight and become obese over time too. When a person does consume those extra calories, the body will store the unused calories and will start to produce fat.

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When obesity is talked about, most bring up the risks. After researching however, it was found that there are medical causes of obesity too, such as Cushing Syndrome and Prader –Willi syndrome. These disorders are not known to be common (CDC, Adult Obesity Facts, 2015). Clearly the main culprit of obesity are inactivity and unhealthy eating habits. Less activity is become more prominent because of all the employers and schools allowing work to be done at home. Living a life that is sedentary, makes it easy to consume those unnecessary, unhealthy calories with less exercise. It’s too easy to have access to junk food, fast food, and food with high calories, making weight loss extremely hard because the calories are too high.

Risk Factors

• Genetics- Genes can affect the amount of fat stored in the body, making it hard for the body to burn and convert that fat in to energy.
• Inactivity – At a young age in this generation children would rather stay inside than go outside. They aren’t getting that important outside activity that their bodies require to stay healthy. Arthritis decreases the activity of the older generations.
• Eating Habits- Not watching potion size and consuming high calorie foods.
• Medical issues- Arthritis, thyroid conditions, and Cushing’s can result in weight gain.
• Medications- Certain medication cause a person to retain water and can induce binge eating. Medicines such antidepressants, steroids, beta-blockers, and diabetic.
• Age – No one age is not affected by obesity. As you get older your muscle mass decreases cause a person’s metabolism to decrease as well.
• Pregnancy
• Lack of sleep – A person’s appetite may increase from getting either too much sleep of even too little.

Obesity can be prevented with correct eating habits, exercise, and changing one’s mind set. Just because a person has one of more of the risk factors doesn’t mean they are or could become obese.

Impact Nation Wide

Billions of dollars are spent from complications of obesity, which in turn affects nearly every American. The geographic location sets the Insurance premium. Some areas in the United States have higher obesity rates compared to others, this causes the cost of insurance and hospital visits to be higher in that area. The blunt cost of this comes from the state Medicaid and Welfare programs (CawleyJ, 2013). The US spent nearly $190 billion on health issues that are related to obesity in 2005. This huge economic burden has taken a toll on the US and is now raising political awareness. Many people are starting to get involved now. Not only is the individual themselves taking time to get healthier, but more communities within each state and other international organizations are taking part in helping this epidemic decrease in numbers.

The cost is broken down by indirect and direct from obesity by the government. When talking about direct cost, it is considered through the results of inpatient and outpatient care. For example, medications, radiology testing’s and some lab work. When a person starts to miss work, earns less and pays higher insurance premiums, basically the loss of resources is considered indirect. In 2006, the U.S Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) placed obesity at 10 percent of medical costs, gauging the cost to be about 86 billion dollars a year, all coming from conditions that relate to obesity (CawleyJ, 2013).

Prevention and Strategies

In order to prevent and treat this disease, having a better understanding of the cost of obesity could give incentive to greater platforms. Programs are being put into place by the US, investing time and building regulations in preventing obesity. Just in the last few years, different programs have been promoted such as, “Let’s Move”. It emphasizes putting prevention to work but is and will continue to be under threat for the future public health due to funding dollars. Putting forth effort is the only way to show initiatives, getting the local and national government to work together. Healthy weights should be the norm not the exception and the only way to do that is to get companies, nonprofit organizations, advertisers, and individuals to make health a priority.

Different companies have health incentives for their employees. Companies such as IBM, Concentrix, and Google. They have programs like, walking meetings, awards for wellness, and lower insurance premiums if a person gets their wellness appointment done on a yearly basis. Weight Watchers give discounts for employees that work for IBM and Concentrix. The use of the fit bit has grown popular over all ages. The industry standard has become the American Heart Association’s 10000 steps a day. Hospitals are now starting to give wellness courses. Hospitals like, Cleveland Clinic and St. Frances Hospital.

Lexington, SC communities have added bike and walking paths within the city and even to and from schools. These programs for wellness are essential for improving health. The CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) are guiding schools by recommended prevention sources for obesity. Recess is being added back into schools in the mid-west, it is now becoming a requirement for physical education across the country. People who need or want healthy food options are now receiving grants. With better food options and more activity in schools’ students are eating better and getting that extra activity. Adolescents need health weight, this allows them to gain a healthy self-esteem.

In 2011, it was stated that this generation does hear the word NO according to WHO. It has become easier to go through the McDonalds drive thru than to wait and give a child a piece of fruit. You can’t go to a movie without ordering that large popcorn, soda and nachos because it’s not a movie without those things. Although we want to blame the companies for this problem, it’s not their fault, they are only trying to make a profit. Bottle water and even some other healthy alternatives have been added to cinemas around the country.

Health Policies in Place

In order to assist in preventing obesity and promote a healthy lifestyle in the early years of childhood, the CDC put into place the Early Care and Education Policy. Within these programs are multiple parts: first is assisting the providers and educators in understanding the potential health benefits of supporting regulations and quality ratings with National Health and Safety Standards. Educating these individuals helps improve nutrition, allows the support on breastfeeding, and pushes for the increase in physical activity. Self-assessments are encouraged throughout the school and other facilities, including home. Gaining knowledge on what healthy foods drinks and bringing more nutritional training and certified professionals in all industries. Allowing more access to healthier foods and making them more affordable by handing out grants to farmers and school garden programs that grow their own vegetables and fruits.

CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) at state level funds efforts to prevent childhood obesity (CDC, Weight of the Nation, 2011). Currently, there are 25 states that receive funding in order to develop and implements programs that will help to prevent chronic diseases and obesity. Funding from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment act covers 50 states targeting obese children in the population. In order to educate providers and public health practitioners, this Policy Review was put into place to give a better understanding about obesity conditions that exist now and how they may be prevented for the future.

The cost relating to obesity has become unacceptable persuading legislators to act fast and address this issue. The issue on obesity has places itself at a political crossroad. Obesity as a health issue has been surpasses by the political issue. With this being a public concern, it has prompted state and federal legislators to compete for the role of the most compassionate and determined public trustees (Feldstein, 2001), by launching a new 'war against obesity' in proposing regulations and laws that regulate sociological, economic, genetic, and political causes of obesity. The governments involvement in preventing childhood obesity is a struggle and there is no opposition to the goal of doing so. An example will the government make a policy for all schools to have healthier choices in the vending machines or will the schools continue to have the vending machines stocked with soft drinks and snacks. There are a number of things that influence these issues: Diet, activity, and environmental issues, as well as genetic and socioeconomic status. It might require a change beyond nutrition and daily activity in order to control the obesity epidemic (Tao, 2005).

When considering obesity and health policy, there are several stakeholders in the legislative arena. Key stakeholders include the government, the food industry, health care providers, employers, and the middle class.

Challenges/Barriers

A barrier for accessing health care and quality health show through reports that health insurance is a significant factor. If people are unable to have health insurance, they are less likely to be sent to a specialist for any additional testing. Prevention care as well as wellness care are being denied to those without insurance. Certain disease like obesity, asthma and even diabetes are hard for the disease management to access. This comes to a high cost both on a personal and national level. Not only is it monetary cost it is a cost of lives (Phillip R, 2004). The lack of access to fresh produce and advertisement on fun but unhealthy products spreads and increases the overweight population. Uninsured population tends to put off seeking medical care. Poor health due to lack of care raised insurance cost in the US over $125 million in the year 2004.

Predominant views influencing current arguments around policy development include beliefs that body weight is genetically determined, and that gaining weight is a moral issue, a sign of laziness, and lack of self-control. In fact, individuals who are overweight commonly experience psychological stress, reduced income, and discrimination (Tao, 2005).

Financial and non-financial are barriers that go beyond the deductible and co insurance or the monthly insurance fee. Challenges include taking time to find a physician then having to take time off from work. There are large network of hospital groups but not all reach out to the rural areas and do not have extended hours for people who have long travel times. Limited finances prevent the ability to travel without using the town or cities transportation. Parents do not take children in to be seen unless ill forgetting that preventive care can cut cost.

People leaving the cities caused the Urban Sprawl, which created the need for driving instead of walking; Overproduction of food caused a surplus. Advancing technology gave way to more Americans working from home. Technologies also lead to the greater variety of prepackaged meals making it easier to have numerous meals. The American meal contains increased carbohydrates and decreased fiber, which is seen with the upward trend of Diabetes (Tao, 2005). It is in the interest of all American to be advocates of healthier lifestyles and to ensure access to care and education. Decisions can be influenced by proper care and though it may be, challenging every individual can enhance the lives around them and serve as role models by making the healthy choices and taking the time for physical activities.

References

1. CawleyJ, M. C. (2013). Paying the price for those extra pounds. Retrieved from Harvard T.H. Chan: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-consequences/economic/
2. CDC. (2011, 11). Weight of the Nation. Retrieved from CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/downloads/early-care-and-education-policy-review-final_web508.pdf
3. CDC. (2015, 9 21). Adult Obesity Facts. Retrieved from Centers fro Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
4. Phillip R, P. M. (2004, 9 15). The importance of having health insurance and a usual source of care. Am Fam Physician , p. 70(6):1035.
5. Tao, H. (2005, March 28). Legistlative: Obesity From a Health Issue to a Political and Policy Issue. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, Vol 10, No. 2. Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/Columns/Legislative/Obesity.html