Dr. Gourmet's Health and Nutrition Bites
April 25, 2007

The long-term consequences of obesity: If you've been reading News Bites or my columns on the website for a while, you've heard all about the health risks of obesity. The RAND Corporation, a non-profit research organization that provides objective analysis in a wide range of fields, has released a "Research Highlight" summarizing its research on the long-term economic consequences of the United States' dash toward obesity ("Obesity and Disability": www.rand.org/health).

They started with data from a national telephone survey of about 10,000 respondents between the ages of 18 and 65. Obesity, they conclude, is associated with "more chronic medical conditions than smoking or problem drinking" - put together!

But it's not just the chronic medical problems in and of themselves that represent the economic risk of obesity, even though the obese spend 36% more on health care services and 77% more on medications than normal weight persons. The biggest long-term economic risk is obesity's contribution to disability.

And that's not disability among the elderly, that's disability among 30 to 59-year-olds, whose disability rates have increased by almost 50 percent. The fastest-growing causes of their disability are diabetes and musculoskeletal problems - both of which are related to obesity.

By estimating the link between obesity and health and looking at obesity trends over time, RAND analysts projected some of the risks and costs of obesity in 2020. They predict:

• That up to 20% of all health care expenditures nationwide will be for treating the consequences of obesity;
• The number of people living in nursing homes will grow 10 to 25% more than has previously been predicted; and
• The related costs to Medicaid could grow as much as 5% for each state.

They note that if that were the case, it is likely that Medicaid would then act to limit those eligible for nursing home care in order to reduce its expenditures. And you know what that means: some people will do without.

What this means for you: Maintaining a normal weight is the single most important thing you can do for your health. And not just your physical health, but your financial health, too. Need to lose weight? Try eatTHISdiet - Original, eatTHISdiet - Comfort Food Diet, or eatTHISdiet For Coumadin Users. All three meal plans are suitable for those on a low-sodium diet, who are watching their cholesterol, or who are diabetic. Make a positive change today!

Eat well, eat healthy, enjoy life!

Timothy S. Harlan, M.D.
Dr. Gourmet