Health Care Reform – What’s the Point?

Last year Americans spent $86 billion treating the health effects of obesity. According to the America’s Health Rankings study recently released, by 2018 that number will quadruple to $344 billion. This is because obesity in this country is on an upward trajectory that is stratospheric, to say the least. The fattest state in the country now is Mississippi, with an obesity rate of 38 percent. But don’t point a finger at them as being bad examples - the same study predicts that in 2018 nearly 45 percent of all Americans will be clinically obese. Along with that excess body fat come chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and high blood pressure.  This carries not only a huge physical cost, but an economic one as well - just because we can’t put down our Big Macs and fries and substitute them with a bowl of beans and rice, or a plate of fresh vegetables.

Much to-do has been made over the potential for health care reform in America. But, what’s the point? It doesn’t matter what sort of health care system we have, or develop, in this country if we continue to insist on literally eating ourselves to death. We simply won’t be able to bear the economic burden of our communal fatness, if the above predictions hold true. Health care reform or not, we will not be able to afford the costs of the diseases we will bring upon ourselves.

Maybe losing weight for personal reasons has not made it a priority for you. Then consider doing it for the good of your country. For starters, just add more fiber foods into your diet. All fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts contain fiber. Drink more water – at least 6 to 8 glasses per day. Don’t eat when you’re not hungry and stop eating before you are full. Move a little more.

Do these things and you’ll get slimmer and healthier. You may even feel a sense of patriotic pride.



The author submits this blog posting as a health educator and not in any other capacity. You should seek the advice of your physician regarding a personal health condition or before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health program.