Obesity: The New Epidemic

Over the past decade, obesity has become recognized as a national health threat and a major public health challenge. Approximately 72.5 million adults in the United States are obese. Obese adults are at increased risk for many serious health conditions, including coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, and premature death. Adult obesity also is associated with a reduced quality of life, social stigmatization, and discrimination. Diseases associated with obesity are responsible for 27% of the increases in US medical costs. Medical costs associated with obesity have been estimated at as much as $147 billion in 2006, and obese persons had estimated medical costs that were $1,429 higher than persons of normal weight.
Source: The Journal for Nurse Practitioners - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Hot Topics in Primary Care Source Type: research