The Effect of Obesity on Health Care

The current epidemic that America has had to confront is the sudden and rapid growth of obesity rates in states across the nation. Not only does this affect the healthcare system, but it also affects families and the quality of life adolescents will have in the future.

      In today's society an affordable and easy dinner is ordering a greasy pizza from the local pizzeria down the street, and regular workouts just don't fit into our busy work and school schedules. According to one article, “In the year 2000, no U.S. state had an obesity rate above 30%. In 2010, 12 states did.” Although my main focus is the healthcare system, I've chosen to focus in on obesity to discuss the changes that need to be put in place. I will cover the affect obesity has on the economy, the average Americans health care, and the changes in place.

      At a time where America is trying to control the cost of healthcare, obesity is becoming a larger problem everyday. The economy is merely a small portion of the issue, according to a financial service called the Motley Fool, “obesity-related health care spending is estimated to cost up to $190 billion per year; more than 20% of total U.S. health care costs.” If the nation was healthier, ate better, and exercised regularly we wouldn't have such a large amount of money going into healthcare for obesity related issue. “A 5% reduction in BMI in every U.S. state could reduce health care spending by 7% or more, freeing up billions of dollars for the many needs of the future.” With just small changes the nation could work together to help the economy and allow for those dollars to be put to better use. “Smaller waistlines would also mean less fuel expenditure for airlines, cars, and other means of transportation, cutting down on both costs and emissions.”

      In addition to the economy being affected the healthcare system is also feeling the effects of obesity. In 2012 the U.S. spent more than $8,000 per person on health care,” it's no wonder we don't have enough money to fix our streets and buy books for our students. A 2011 article in The Lancet, reported that, between 2010 and 2020, new cases of Type 2 diabetes could increase tenfold; so could stroke, coronary heart disease, hypertension and arthritis. The number of cases could double again by 2030.” This only shows how much damage obesity could do to our health care system, causing more unhealthy Americans to seek physicians aid and using up insurance dollars that could have been avoiding through healthy planning.

      One may wonder where we can start to make changes, steps are being taken to control the sudden outbreak of obesity but we have yet to see any of these changes yield great results. First lady, Michelle Obama, has started her own campaign, titled Let's Move, with the program “ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food. And, helping kids become more physically active.” Small steps like these ones will some day result in great statistics that show our nation is becoming a healthier one. Not only does Let's Move help children but it also gives “parents helpful information and fosters environments that support healthy choices.” A healthy individual needs to receive the support from their family and by helping the parents of children we are able to attack the root of the problem. If bad habits are controlled at a young age then the individual has a better chance of avoiding obesity at an older age.
 

      Overall, America is a long ways from fixing the problem of obesity, but with a more conscious society and a nation that wants to help their citizens, steps could be taken to improve Americas health. Through changes of economy, healthcare, and individuals themselves the obesity epidemic could one day no longer be a problem.  

Carroll, Dan. "The Price of America's Obesity Epidemic." The Price of America's 
       Obesity Epidemic. Motley Fool, 06 Mar. 2013. Web. 20 Mar. 2013.
Let's Move." Learn The Facts. Web. 20 Mar. 2013.