Obesity issues weigh heavy on health care costs

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Weight loss and weight management has become a big concern in the United States over the last several years. Diseases related to people being overweight has cost employers money in health care costs, according to Marilyn Hill, RN, director of corporate health services for St. John's Regional Health Center.|ret||ret||tab|

Long-term obesity is linked to illnesses such as high blood pressure, hypertension, heart disease and diabetes. These conditions drive up health care costs and increase insurance premiums accordingly.|ret||ret||tab|

St. John's has found success in its health screening and wellness programs to help decrease premium costs for its own employees and for other regional businesses and corporations.|ret||ret||tab|

Treatment costs have risen and "pharmacy costs is one on the biggest expenses in health care utilization that affects companies," Hill said.|ret||ret||tab|

There have been cases of people, for example, who were able to quit using inhalers after losing weight and improving their general health, Hill said.|ret||ret||tab|

St. John's strongly believes in wellness and has a number of active programs in place at its regional facilities. The health center offers incentives to encourage people to take an active part in promoting their own general health. Along with prizes, employees receive reduced health premium costs if they participate.|ret||ret||tab|

Hill said there are all types of commercial programs to help people lose weight. "If the user finds a balanced plan that works, it can be beneficial," she said.|ret||ret||tab|

David Dade, registered dietitian and wellness and sports nutritionist for Cox Health Systems, warned there is no quick fix to weight loss. Weight gain does not come on fast and the body should only lose one to two pounds per week, he said|ret||ret||tab|

"More than that is not the best way to take off weight," Dade said.|ret||ret||tab|

Programs that offer quick results should be viewed with suspicion. Another red flag, according to Dade, is programs that exclude certain food groups.|ret||ret||tab|

The body needs a balance of all foods groups that includes approximately 45 percent to 65 percent carbohydrates, 20 percent to 35 percent fat and 10 precent to 35 percent protein.|ret||ret||tab|

"They can be tweaked but not to the extreme without possible consequences," Dade said.|ret||ret||tab|

Hill agreed: "Extremes can be dangerous."|ret||ret||tab|

The only thing that works over the long haul is to reduce calorie intake and to exercise, Dade said.|ret||ret||tab|

"There are no fat burners. There is not one food group that burns fat without effort. The old standard fat burner is exercise," he said. " There is no such thing as a good or bad food. There's only good or bad eating habits."|ret||ret||tab|

Hill said companies have to realize that weight-related health problems don't go away overnight. But, she added, the problem is reversible to the benefit of people's general health. Many illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes are often directly related to being overweight.|ret||ret||tab|

Wellness programs, which include weight loss programs, have proven to be successful, Hill said. According to The Wellness Program Management Advisor, companies that have an on-site fitness center can boast a 35 percent impact on health care costs, Hill said. Health screening and awareness programs have a 43 percent impact and providing nutritional programs records a 19 percent impact.|ret||ret||tab|

The bottom line is "companies are going to have to either put money into health care expenses or into wellness programs," Hill said.|ret||ret||tab|

Both Hill and Dade said it is as important to have physical activity as it is to eat right. It doesn't have to be a strenuous workout; it can be as simple as walking several times a week.|ret||ret||tab|

Inactivity combined with poor eating habits is what causes unwanted pounds, Hill said.|ret||ret||tab|

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