Thread: Nearly 10 percent of health spending for obesity

Nearly 10 percent of health spending for obesity

Report: Treating weight-related diseases costs U.S. $147 billion

updated 39 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Obesity's not just dangerous, it's expensive. New research shows medical spending averages $1,400 more a year for an obese person than someone who's normal weight.

Overall obesity-related health spending reaches $147 billion, double what it was nearly a decade ago, says the study published Monday by the journal Health Affairs.

Don't blame things like stomach-stapling for all those extra bills. They instead reflect the costs of treating diabetes, heart disease and other ailments far more common for the overweight, concluded the study by government scientists and the nonprofit research group RTI International.

RTI health economist Eric Finkelstein offers a blunt message for lawmakers trying to revamp the health care system: "Unless you address obesity, you're never going to address rising health care costs."

Obesity-related conditions now account for 9.1 percent of all medical spending, up from 6.5 percent in 1998, the study concluded.

Health economists have long warned that obesity is a driving force behind the rise in health spending. For example, diabetes costs the nation $190 billion a year to treat, and excess weight is the single biggest risk factor for developing diabetes. Moreover, obese diabetics are the hardest to treat, with higher rates of foot ulcers and amputations, among other things.

The new study's look at per-capita spending may offer a shock to the wallets of people who haven't yet heeded straight health warnings.

"Health care costs are dramatically higher for people who are obese and it doesn't have to be that way," said Jeff Levi of the nonprofit Trust for America's Health, who wasn't involved in the new research.

Obesity rates increase nationwide
July 2: Despite efforts to get children to eat healthier and exercise more, obesity rates have not decreased in a single state in the past year. NBC’s chief medical editor, Dr. Nancy Snyderman, talks with TODAY’s Meredith Vieira about what appears to be a losing battle of the bulge.
Today show

"We have ways of changing behavior and changing those health outcomes so that we don't have to deal with the medical consequences of obesity," added Levi, who advocates community-based programs that promote physical activity and better nutrition.

About a third of adult Americans are obese, and the obesity rate rose 37 percent between 1998 and 2006, the years covered by Monday's study.

Prescription drugs for obesity-related illnesses account for much of the rise in spending. Medicare spends about $600 more per year on prescriptions for an obese beneficiary than a normal-weight one, the study found.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32170526/ns ... alth_care/

Overall obesity-related health spending reaches $147 billion, double what it was nearly a decade ago, says the study published Monday by the journal Health Affairs.

And causes to this over weight problem from your side dear government? Hormones in FOOD! No time in school from K-12 for exercise in school! No sleep or sleep disorders for stressed out American! And then there are GENETICS! Physical or mental disabilities!

The other day I heard a Congress person compare the go getter and the slob on the couch. I know go getter runners who have jarred lens in eyes loose and organs in body loose. Women be forewarned.

What about the add weight people? These people cannot eat over 1,000 calories a day.

After exercise the acid can build up in some people in which they cannot even lift their heads off their pillows.

Weight and lacking of weight are such major problems. So keep those stomach surgeries going, then give these folks mental health. Some people like myself cannot get the surgery due to health problems.

Look at Barney Frank and the stress he is under with all that mouth running.

I was a 10k runner and addict to running and exercise, once. And it is a lonely world. Now I recommend walking and walking about two miles a day if physically possible. (There is mowing, walking the dog or child, walking your favorite store or mall, etc.... WALK TO HEALTH IS WISEST!)

This headline could have said:

90% of health spending for non-obese