Cut The Fat Out

A new report released by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation states that if the rates of obese and overweight children and adults continue on the current track only the District of Columbia would have an obesity rate less than 40 percent by 2030. The report also warns that health care costs will increase alongside U.S. waistlines.

The reason that we should be concerned about the rising obesity levels, is because it will bring hefty health care bills due to treatments for of weight-related illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension. For example, the report predicts New Jersey would see a possible 34.5 percent spike in spending during the time period.

If current trends hold, businesses also would face heavy price tags because of obese employees who have higher compensation claims and are more likely to be absent. The report projects a loss of economic productivity between $390 billion and $580 billion in two decades. The report called on obese individuals to cut their body mass index, or BMI, a metric that measures healthy body weight, by 5 percent in order to offset obesity-related illness and financial costs. For some people, this could mean a 10- to 15-pound weight loss.

I have read articles that in Japan employees receive incentives to maintain healthy statistics. Plus in many companies, they require daily workouts. Maybe companies in the US should consider similar policies.

Also remember, if these trends continue, more people that will require healthcare services and those costs will increase the amount each of us will need to pay to fund the system.