The latest estimates put the number of overweight and obese American adults at 97 million? and counting (HCIA National Inpatient Profile). Which means that there are more people in the world who are obese, than those who are starving. A steady increase is being seen in all states, in both sexes, and across age groups, races, and educational levels. If the current trends continue, ?100% of the U.S. population will be obese by
the year 2230?. (Competitive Insight).
I think that telling clients, or patients that they are killing themselves, (and at our expense) is a god-given right. Especially if you?re their doctor! This is an epidemic that concerns us all, and I?m sick of having my hands tied behind my back by the growing number of obese people that are taking away our freedom of speech, freedom of concern, and making something so ailing, and unhealthy an accepted choice. I help pay the repercussions of this ?disease? in an assortment of matters, including medical. Obesity is now the number 1 cause of preventable death, and yet we are expected to sit back with our mouths shut, for fear of prosecution, or prejudice.
It is of course a known fact that as one’s weight increases, so does the risk for many diseases linked to obesity: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type II diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, breast, prostate, and colon cancers.
It is estimated that 76% of type II diabetes in adults 30-40 yrs old is caused by obesity. 70% of Cardiovascular disease related to obesity. 42% breast and colon cancer diagnosed among obese individuals. 30% of gall bladder surgery related to obesity. 60% already have one risk factor for heart disease
Researchers at the Louisiana State University Medical Center recently estimated that the direct costs of obesity in the United States is $39.3 billion per year. I personally think that estimate is WAY too low, seeing as how it was estimated at $64 billion in the 1990?s.
If you don?t think that?s a big enough impact on Your wallet, then get this!
Social Security Disability
If you are obese, you may be entitled to disability payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA). According to the SSA, $77 million are paid monthly to approximately 137,000 persons who met obesity requirements for disability under criteria used prior to May 15, 2000, when a new policy was issued. Most of the people who qualified for benefits under the old policy claimed to have muscle or skeletal complications.
Changes in Social Security Benefits for Obesity
In 1998, after the SSA proposed changing the rules to qualify for disability income on the basis of obesity, the AOA organized a coalition of organizations and presented strong evidence that obesity is a disease. The coalition’s mission was to prevent the SSA from making it more difficult for persons with obesity to receive benefits.
Why are so many people obese in the first place? It?s estimated that 78% of American’s are not even meeting basic activity level recommendations. 25% of those people being completely sedentary.
None of us here need to hear all of these numbers, and statistics. We all know what?s going on out there. I just think that sometimes it?s more of an impact to see it on paper. There are not many issues that upset me, but this is a problem that I have no tolerence for. I have been a personal trainer for years, and applaud anyone who has the courage to step forward and say ? I don?t want to be obese anymore. I don?t want to be a statistic, and a burden on the health care system?. But for all those that choose to continue to do what you?re doing, then expect to be treated like an outsider.
We have finally been given the right to ?alienate? smokers for their lack of good judgment, and the potential harm that they cause us. Now it?s time to demand the right to do that with the obese!
