The Multiple Problems Associated with Obesity
Obesity is a big problem in the United States and around the
world. It's a problem because obesity has many
associated comorbidities that can shorten a person's
life, diminish a person's quality of life, and
increase a person's health care costs. And there
have been studies that highlight some of the
negative consequences of obesity, including
out-of-pocket costs.
Obesity and overweight are associated with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, many cancers, sleep apnea, heart disease, and other illnesses. While these associations are important and generally accepted, emphasizing the relationship between obesity, quality of life (HRQL), and the cost of obesity can be key in driving home the need to prevent or treat obesity.
A 2000 study indicated that obesity negatively affected a person's ability to function physically, and that obesity negatively affected a person's perception of his or her general health. Further, the researchers concluded that "even modest levels of overweight are associated with significant reductions in" quality of life. However, by following the right program, it is possible to improve quality of life, as indicated by a 2006 weight management study.
According to the study's researchers, "individuals were able to achieve significant improvements in [quality of life] following a 6-month behavioral intervention and were able to maintain many of those improvements at a 24 month follow-up." The researchers did indicate that some of the improvements in HRQL were not "solely" tied to the weight management program. Still the program did affect quality of life.
And concerning obesity cost, a recent report referenced a review that associated costs with obesity. The review looked at how reducing BMI could save a person's health care costs. The reviewers indicated that "for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater, a 5 percent weight reduction would yield $2,137 in medical cost savings annually. For individuals with a BMI of 35, the same percentage reduction would result in $528 savings."
So, obese individuals have three reasons to lose weight. They can lose weight to reduce the risk of comorbidities associated with being obese, individuals can lose weight to improve their quality of life, and individuals can lose weight to lower their healthcare cost. Weight loss providers can use these three pieces of information to counsel patients on the benefits of losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight.
Obesity and overweight are associated with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, many cancers, sleep apnea, heart disease, and other illnesses. While these associations are important and generally accepted, emphasizing the relationship between obesity, quality of life (HRQL), and the cost of obesity can be key in driving home the need to prevent or treat obesity.
A 2000 study indicated that obesity negatively affected a person's ability to function physically, and that obesity negatively affected a person's perception of his or her general health. Further, the researchers concluded that "even modest levels of overweight are associated with significant reductions in" quality of life. However, by following the right program, it is possible to improve quality of life, as indicated by a 2006 weight management study.
According to the study's researchers, "individuals were able to achieve significant improvements in [quality of life] following a 6-month behavioral intervention and were able to maintain many of those improvements at a 24 month follow-up." The researchers did indicate that some of the improvements in HRQL were not "solely" tied to the weight management program. Still the program did affect quality of life.
And concerning obesity cost, a recent report referenced a review that associated costs with obesity. The review looked at how reducing BMI could save a person's health care costs. The reviewers indicated that "for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater, a 5 percent weight reduction would yield $2,137 in medical cost savings annually. For individuals with a BMI of 35, the same percentage reduction would result in $528 savings."
So, obese individuals have three reasons to lose weight. They can lose weight to reduce the risk of comorbidities associated with being obese, individuals can lose weight to improve their quality of life, and individuals can lose weight to lower their healthcare cost. Weight loss providers can use these three pieces of information to counsel patients on the benefits of losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight.
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posted by Information Uncover at
12:19 PM
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