Health Effect of Obesity - Essay Example

Running Head: CHILD OBESITY CHILD OBESITY of the of the Child Obesity Obesity is a situation that influences more than one-quarter of adults and one out of five children according to the American Obesity Association (AOA). The special effects of obesity are sickness, decease, disabilities and morbidity. This disease does not receive the notice that it ought to have from the government and insurance companies. United States spends billions of dollars on healthcare and well being every year. Yet, obesity is on the rise. An estimated 70 to 74% of our US veterans are either overweight or obese. Obesity has been named the nation’s leading cause of preventable death (Das, 2005). The US Surgeon General issued a call to action to prevent and decrease overweight and obesity in 2001. Health problems related to obesity have a significant economic impact on the US health care system. Genetic, environmental, and behavioural factors all contribute to an individual’s tendency to gain excess weight either in childhood or as an adult. The rapid increase within the last decade of overweight and obesity at the population level suggests that environmental and behavioural influences are playing a larger role than genetics. Clinical providers are an important part of influence, prevention, and treatment at the population level requires a public health approach. According to NCP data, it is estimated that veterans who receive health care at VA facilities have higher levels of individuals who are overweight and obese. Approximately 70% to 74& of veterans are obese versus the general U.S. population of 64% (Dick, 2004). Risks for specific morbidities related to obesity vary with age, gender, and race. Many of the health related risks of obesity are due to coronary heart disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, congestive heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea, cancer, osteoarthritis, gallstones, women’s reproductive health problems, and aggravate asthma and respiratory problems. Obesity also increases surgical risks for some procedures. In addition to health effects, obesity is associated with discrimination negative attitudes about the obese have been reported in both children and adults in our society. These attitudes often translate into discrimination in employment opportunities, housing, social and marriage opportunities. Obese individuals report higher levels of low self esteem and poor body image. Some research reports obese individuals report higher levels of depression, psychopathology, and eating disorders. It is important to note that psychological distress associated with obesity varies within different culture groups. African American and Hispanic cultures report less cultural pressure to be thin and they have higher levels of satisfaction with body image. Overweight and obesity are responsible for a large burden of diseases. An estimated 365,000 deaths in the U.S. were attributable to poor diet and physical activity in 2000. (Mokdad et al., 2005). This accounts for 15.2% of all deaths and represents the second leading cause of death after tobacco use. In the year 2000, approximately 72.7% of veterans using outpatient VHA facilities were overweight or obese. (Das et al., 2005). Overweight or obese veterans may soon match tobacco use as the leading cause of veteran health problems. Overweight and obesity have a substantial economic impact for the U.S. health care system. Costs associated with obesity can be categorized as direct or indirect. Direct cost is diagnostic and treatment related expenses for obesity related conditions. Indirect refers to lost wages by people unable to work due to obesity related illness or disability. The most recent figures available are from the year 2000. Estimated direct costs are approximately $61 billion and indirect costs are estimated at about $56 billion for a total of $117 billion (Wadden, 2003). Most of the cost associated with obesity is due to Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and hypertension. These estimates are based on the general population. Costs for the Veterans Administration are likely to be substantial. Weight is a sensitive topic for many people, including veterans, patients, and staff. The staff will remain sensitive when discussing issues related to overweight and obesity. The most preferred term is “Weight” followed by “Excess Weight”, and “BMI”. The clinic can become weight friendly by ensuring the patients are weighed in private. The objective of Healthy People 2010, concerning obesity, involves many issues and attributes. A few objectives are reducing overweight adults, healthy weight in children, food intake and nutrition, school nutrition, nutrition counselling and food security. All of these issues would help reduce chronic diseases and promote health with diet and exercise. To reduce obesity a policy would be adopted by the government. Insurance companies would give a discount to people who would fit the criteria of obesity. If a person were within weight limits, a discount would be given to them through insurance rates. Prevention is the key and the goal of controlling obesity in adults and children also providing activities for families, through city agencies, that would not be a financial burden to the people that are considered low-income. This information needs to be measured in such a way that nationally, state and local entities can access such information. Strengthen state and community monitoring systems that will link nutrient and exercise (Healthy People 2010) also receiving commitments from the public and private entities that will be involved, including government, physicians and insurance companies. Obstacles may get in the way of reducing obesity in the United States. Income status, none or little activity, race, gender or family genetics are all barriers that could increase the probability of staying obese. If Americans, as a whole, fight this up coming disease with full force and the backing of the government then the reduction of obesity will happen. Education of nutrition and what is enough for our children will decrease the amount of obesity as adults in the future. The goal is to have a healthier and stronger America. Formulation There is a proposal for health insurance companies be liable for the education and implementation of programs that will help reduce obesity in America. Americans spend over 60 billion dollars a year on weight reduction plans or pills (AOA). Inadequate reimbursements from the insurance companies make it difficult for Americans to gain control of weight loss. Weight can be a target of discrimination in a persons personal and professional life. Research studies show that overweight and obesity increase the risk for hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. These health care related conditions significantly impact the resources of the health care delivery system nationwide. The veterans need a comprehensive weight management program to address the epidemic of obesity in the Lima, Ohio area. Environments with easily accessed, calorie dense food and aggressive marketing contribute to weight gain. Leisure life styles and the mechanicaziation of everyday tasks and activities limit opportunities to move and be active. Shifting from a primarily agriculturally based economy to an industrial and service industry, many people are entrenched in sedentary daily routines. Obesity can cause heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancers, arthritis and death (Dixon, 2006). All of which can seriously jeopardize your health. A policy must be in place to hold insurance companies responsible for providing programs for obese people. If medically diagnosed with obesity by two or more physicians then the insurance company will provide reimbursement for the reduction of weight. This will include a discounted price for a membership in a gym, which will be contracted with the specific insurance company. To pay for or equal the costs to the insurance companies, they can increase premiums for persons who are diagnosed by two or more doctors with the disease of obesity. In addition, insurance companies and/or agencies will be taxed accordingly. The tax will be set aside locally to provide activities to the community and the surrounding areas. Physical activities will be set up for a practical amount of money, which will promote and educate people in the community on weight loss and reduction of obesity in America. This will include, but not limited to, the public schools and any private division. Implementation Once the policy is clearly written and easily understood, the local government will appoint leadership to the appropriate entities. In this case, the Health and Human Services, American Obesity Association, the state health department and the public should be aware of the policy that is being proposed into legislation. Costs will be an issue in implementing this policy. If insurance companies negotiate with local gyms, there will be a cost reduction. If the companies advertise together as a unit that provides insurance to promote a "healthy tomorrow" then the costs to the insurance company will be minimal. In addition, the premiums will be higher for the individuals who are medically obese. That will provide a balance to the insurance company for the costs of the reimbursements to the gym. The taxation of the insurance companies will provide extra money to the surrounding community. The local government will set programs to target individuals who are overweight and want to lose it. Programs such as basketball, bicycling, soccer, baseball, aerobics, swimming, tennis and other activities that will promote a healthy America will be paid by the taxes. Evaluation There are different ways we can evaluate this policy once it has been through the legislation process. There needs to be a specific goal, which has been obtained. A measurement and analysis of information needs to be acquired. Then a recommendation to better the policy would be the conclusion. The political process does offer many channels which perceptions of a policys value feeds back into the policy making process. Committees will be set up to oversee and investigate agencies. Interest group intervention can also make or break a policy being introduced in legislation. If proper media exposure were to happen, then you would know the publics point of view and possibly know what will advance the bill or policy into law. Conclusion This policy process will take time and many efforts by the supporters and agencies involved. Having support from doctors, employers and perhaps the government officials can be helpful when fighting for reimbursements for weight loss treatments. The goal and objective is to encourage individuals with obesity to obtain the best possible medical care for their disease. This policy will also help overcome the stigma that is attached to obesity. Finally, this will urge health insurance companies and the government agencies to be responsible for programs to treat obesity as they do with other diseases. References Benner, P. From Novice to Expert. Excellence and Power in Clinical Nursing Practice. 1984. Das S., Kinsinger LS., Yancy WS., Wang A., Ciesco E., Burdick M., Yevich SJ., Obesity Prevalence Among Veterans at Veterans Affairs Medical Facilities. Am J Prev Med. (2005); 28(3) pp291-294. Dick, J. Weight Loss Interventions for Adult Obesity: Evidencefor Practice. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing. (2004). pp 209-213. Dixon, J.B. Centre for Obesity Research and Education (CORE). Combined strategies in the management of obesity. 2006 15: pp 63-69. Mokdad, A., Actual Causes of Death in the United States. 2000. Jama 2005: 293 (3):293. Wadden TA., Didie E. What’s in a Name? Patients’ preferredterms for describing obesity. Obes. Res. (2003). 11(9);1140-6. Web Site http://www.healthypeople.gov/ Read More