obesity epidemic -- world

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05/19/26 10:49:01am

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Subject: obesity epidemic

Author:
krz

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Date Posted: 10/22/04 2:50:50pm
In reply to: pa 's message, "more on health care costs and etc." on 10/22/04 11:55:34am

There are estimates that almost 1/2 of the dollars spent on obesity related illness are borne by the federal government (medicare/medicaid)

http://www.healthaffairs.org/

right hand column click on the obesity and health care costs link - the electronic posting doesn't last for long. A great Halloween scare if I ever read one.

The management of obesity is so complex. Not only is it personal challenge (there is a behavioral component that does need to be factored in - primarily as it relates to exercise in my opinion), but also a community one (we now design suburbs that don't have walking access to schools, grocery stores, etc...), an educational one (elimination or reduction in PE), and a governmental one (subsidies need to be considered).

This health epidemic scares me more than others because we've gotten into the habit medically of 'give me a pill' for a quick fix rather than change lifestyle over a long period to change health. I've actually heard debated whether the federal government should start to pay for bariatric surgery (stomach stapling) at around 125K each because it is cheaper in the long run than paying for the health costs of continued obesity.

I would really hope, surgery becomes the last not first resort.

Now I feel guilty for skipping my run today -- I'll have to add some additional miles tomorrow.

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Replies:

Subject	Author	Date
Re: more on health care costs and etc.	krz	10/22/04 2:56:24pm