The cost of obesity

This week, I would like to touch on the sensitive subject of obesity. The costs of obesity to our health are widely known, such as diabetes, heart disease and some forms of cancer. One set of culprits that drives obesity is found in the sugars, sweeteners and processed foods we eat. The other big factor to weight gain and obesity is a sedentary lifestyle. The basic premise to this is our bodies store fat so effectively that when we eat more calories then we burn, we gain weight. I will come back to these points later in the column.

Let's take a closer look at the statistics and other costs of obesity to our economy, health care system and our mortality. The following are some staggering statistics that you may not be aware of regarding the impact obesity has on all of our lives.

* Since the 1960s, obesity among adults over 20 has more than doubled, increasing from 13.4 to 34.9 percent in the United States.

* The total percentage of obese and overweight adults in the U.S. is sitting at 68.5 percent.

* Of the 22 top industrialized countries, the U.S. has the highest obesity statistics in the world.

* At least 2.8 million adults die worldwide each year as a result of being overweight or obese.

* More than one-third or 35 percent of adults in the U.S., which is roughly 78.6 million, are obese.

* Idaho is ranked 23rd in the United States with 29.6 percent of our population considered obese. Idaho is trending up in obesity with nearby states like Oregon and Montana trending down in obesity.

* A recent study done in 2013 found that obesity trends down socioeconomic lines with low income people in the U.S. having higher rates of obesity.

* Medicare and Medicaid are spending nearly $62 billion every year on obesity-related costs.

* According to a study conducted by the Brookings Institution, obese Americans can expect to see a 105 percent cost increase for their prescription drugs as compared to individuals who aren't obese.

* Currently, it is estimated that $190 billion in medical costs are added every year as a direct result of obesity-related health problems. This is roughly 21 percent of our total U.S. health care costs.

* U.S. airlines consume an extra 350 million gallons of fuel per year due to overweight passengers. The added cost is estimated at $1 billion a year and these costs are absorbed through higher airfares for all passengers.

* According to recent estimates, we spend about $3.4 billion more in fuel costs to operate our cars and trucks today then we would if Americans weighed what they did in 1960. Now that we have looked at these striking statistics on obesity, it becomes very apparent the challenges around obesity are formidable. Obesity is a global problem, but in the United States the impact is certainly felt more than other countries. So why is obesity more prevalent in the U.S.?

The issues related to obesity in the United States start with our food production and food choices.

Let's take a major fast food chain for this example: In the U.S., the company uses a strawberry sauce that includes high fructose corn syrup, Red No. 40 and sodium benzoate. In Europe, the same company serves the strawberry sauce with 37 percent real strawberries in their product, no HFCS and no additional dyes, flavoring or harmful preservatives. This example is just one of many that could be listed when comparing the U.S. food supply as compared to higher food standards and guidelines in Europe. It could be argued that we in the U.S. enjoy relatively lower food costs then the rest of the world, but if you look at the statistics listed above, are we really saving money with cheaper foods and food production methods?

The other major factor we are faced with in the United States is sedentary behavior. We know that lack of physical activity is associated with an increased risk of early death. Sedentary behavior is linked to obesity, which as mentioned comes with a greater risk of heart disease, cancers and other health issues. Another interesting fact about sedentary behavior was uncovered by researchers in Europe where they attributed physical inactivity to a much broader number of deaths not just linked to obesity. Our bodies are designed to move and be active and we do not respond well to inactivity.

Here is one last provocative thought: Compare obesity trends with malnourishment rates. For example, the United States has a relatively low hunger and malnourishment rate with our children, about 1 percent suffer from malnourishment from lack of food. Yet it is estimated we will see close to 100,000 deaths in 2015 from obesity related health problems. The World Health Organization estimates roughly 9 million people died world wide from lack of food and starvation each year. As stated above, WHO also estimates that 2.8 million people die each year from obesity-related problems and this number is on the rise. What would these numbers look like if we could find balance between overeating and feeding the malnourished? Would the excess food of 1 million obese people be enough food to feed 3 million people dying from starvation? I am sure that data would be shocking.

At the beginning of each year, many of us turn our focus to health and fitness. With the new year, we often think this will be the year to lose weight, become fit and start living a healthier lifestyle. But statistically, 53 percent of people who start a health and fitness program in January will stop by the end of February, 80 percent overall will quit and 98 percent of those who take on a new diet program will fail within the year. We would all benefit in more ways then we realize if we could push harder and stay committed to healthy eating and physical fitness, even if it is only for 20 minutes each day.

Judd Jones is a director for the Hagadone Corporation.