Obesity in America
The Effects of Obesity on Your Finances
Sep 11th
Studies from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention indicate that 67 percent of the US adult population is overweight (BMI of 25-29) and 34 percent are obese (BMI 30+). Many people are aware of the physiological implications of being obese, but are they aware of the financial impact obesity has? The United States Department of Health and Human Services estimated that obesity accounts for 9 percent or as much as $78 billion in direct costs of total U.S. medical expenditures. Direct costs are expenses attributable to preventive and diagnostic services. Taxpayers covered about one half of these expenses through Medicaid and Medicare. Combined Medicare and Medicaid costs due to obesity are approximately $37.6 billion.
Being overweight or obese has significant financial impact on individuals’ wallets. Being overweight or obese may mean up to 4 times higher life insurance premiums compared to normal weight individuals. Obese individuals can expect to pay 10 times higher lifetime medical costs related to chronic diseases like Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension than their normal weight counterparts. The average yearly cost for prescription drugs for diabetes is $680, heart disease is $627, and hypertension is $502. Living a healthy lifestyle can reduce the need for medications and can put hundreds of dollars back in one’s budget to spend on other items. Instead of spending money on prescription drugs, one can reward themselves with a 3-day cruise to the Bahamas (starting at $400) or season tickets to the Atlanta Falcons (starts around $650/ ticket).
Here are some resources to help you lose weight and incorporate healthy behaviors in your lifestyle.
1.Attend an Expo: At many health fairs or health and wellness expos, vendors from various health and wellness disciplines are available to answer questions.
2.Research: To learn more information about chronic diseases go to major health organizations website like the Center for Disease Control or the American Heart Association.
3.Join a gym or hire a fitness professionals: After joining the gym, be sure to ask questions and enlist the support a personal trainer to assist in creating routines that work. Atlanta personal trainers’ [http://www.certifiedpersonaltrainerslithonia.com] prices are only between $35 – $90 per session. A small price to pay for good health, and reduced health care costs.
Brief View of the Causes of Obesity
Sep 11th
Obesity is unarguably a growing problem; resultant of various factors from less activity, over-consumption, fatty diets coupled with some more. The BMI helps calculate the obesity levels of an individual.
‘Couch Potato’! Have you gotten immune to this subtle slur by now? Then you’re not the only one out there! Globesity, that’s the name! In relation to the recent past trends of growing weight problems reportedly; the situation points at an alarming condition infecting across the globe. But what are the real causes of obesity? Several reasons determine the sudden steep curve noticed on the chart, but to pin it down to one for the exact cause of obesity, is not all that easy a task!
Obesity is continuing to be a by-product of the modern world which is fast, quick and moving. But how much agility and vigor does that instill in the man of today? Nearly Zero! Less physical activity, Low metabolism, Over-consumption, Fatty-cholestrol-ated diets, Negligible workout plans in order to meet the tough deadlines at work, Ones own eating habits, geographical influence on ones diet, are all factors that form the causes of Obesity. However, the level of these factors may be varying from individual to individual. And therefore, there cannot exist just one reason alone for the cause of obesity, instead a combination.
How to keep a check on your growing obesity levels?
BMI – Body Mass Index is calculated on the basis of the height which corresponds to the BMI levels of an individual. And when the BMI surpasses its limited figure, is when obesity strikes in.
The Body Mass Index categories are as follows:
?If the resultant figure is under 18.5, it means the person is Underweight
?If the resultant figure is within a bar of 18.5 – 24.9, it means the person is of Normal weight
?If the resultant figure is within a bar of 25 – 29.9, it means the person is of Over weight
?If the resultant figure is 30 or beyond, it means the person is on the lines of Obesity.
(*The height is calculated in feet, while the weight in pounds)
Obesity also acts as a breeding ground for other vicious diseases like heart-stroke, diabetes etc.
Every year, the rate of Obesity increases multi-fold across all age groups. In Australia alone, one fourth of the total children population are not as physically active as expected to be. The worst hit obese nation unarguably continues to be US, but gradually all other nations are much in the race of the diseased. To be able to overcome obesity, it is important to understand the causes of obesity.
