The NIH May Offer an Opportunity for Bariatric Centers
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a U.S. governmental agency, pays a lot of attention to obesity among groups of lower socio-economic status -- with good reason. Studies done by the NIH indicate that a disproportionate number of persons in lower socio-economic groups are likely to be obese. Further, research programs, focusing on obesity in lower socio-economic groups, are important to the whole society, since the whole society pays for obesity in health care dollars. Because solving the obesity problem is so important to our society, the NIH offers obesity related research grants that some weight loss centers may be able to obtain.
Although important to society as a whole, reducing obesity in lower socio-economic groups is also important to persons in the groups. But reducing obesity in these groups is difficult, since persons in these groups typically live and work in environments not conducive to healthy diets and exercise. Healthy food such as fruits and vegetables are often not readily available to persons in these groups. Places to exercise are also hard to come by for these persons. Therefore, these problems need to be addressed to improve the health of individuals in lower socio-economic groups.
Now while a reduction in obesity is important for good health, a reduction in obesity may also be important for increasing economic status. In the workplace, people who are obese are less likely to get promoted than people of normal weight. And people in the workplace who are obese are less likely to get support from their colleagues than people of normal weight.
So while it may improve health, overcoming obesity may also raise the socio-economic status of persons in lower socio-economic groups. And because socio-economic status may be more important to many people than health, emphasizing the socio-economic status-raising benefits of weight reduction rather than the health benefits may be a better motivator for weight loss. Of couse, research could determine if this is true.
The NIH sponsors community programs that enable researchers to learn more about obesity among ethnic minority groups, since occupants of these groups make up a large portion of the obese in the U.S. And many obese persons in ethnic minority groups have a lower position on the socio-economic ladder.
Therefore, some bariatric centers could play a role in research focusing on obesity within lower socio-economic groups. Moreover, there may be NIH grants that could aid the centers in this endeavor. Engaging in obesity research could enhance a center's reputation, add to the obesity body of knowledge, and give a bariatric center a competitive edge.
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Although important to society as a whole, reducing obesity in lower socio-economic groups is also important to persons in the groups. But reducing obesity in these groups is difficult, since persons in these groups typically live and work in environments not conducive to healthy diets and exercise. Healthy food such as fruits and vegetables are often not readily available to persons in these groups. Places to exercise are also hard to come by for these persons. Therefore, these problems need to be addressed to improve the health of individuals in lower socio-economic groups.
Now while a reduction in obesity is important for good health, a reduction in obesity may also be important for increasing economic status. In the workplace, people who are obese are less likely to get promoted than people of normal weight. And people in the workplace who are obese are less likely to get support from their colleagues than people of normal weight.
So while it may improve health, overcoming obesity may also raise the socio-economic status of persons in lower socio-economic groups. And because socio-economic status may be more important to many people than health, emphasizing the socio-economic status-raising benefits of weight reduction rather than the health benefits may be a better motivator for weight loss. Of couse, research could determine if this is true.
The NIH sponsors community programs that enable researchers to learn more about obesity among ethnic minority groups, since occupants of these groups make up a large portion of the obese in the U.S. And many obese persons in ethnic minority groups have a lower position on the socio-economic ladder.
Therefore, some bariatric centers could play a role in research focusing on obesity within lower socio-economic groups. Moreover, there may be NIH grants that could aid the centers in this endeavor. Engaging in obesity research could enhance a center's reputation, add to the obesity body of knowledge, and give a bariatric center a competitive edge.
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posted by Information Uncover at
6:48 AM
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