It is estimated that investing $10 per person, per year in proven community-based programs aimed to increase physical activity, improve nutrition and prevent smoking and other tobacco use could save the country more than $16 billion annually within 5 years - a return of $5.60 for every $1 invested.
Obesity Rates in Rensselaer County and the United States
- Approximately two-thirds of U.S. adults and one-fifth of U.S. children are obese or overweight.
- The percentage of obese adults in New York State more than doubled from 10% in 1997 to 25% in 2008.
Percentage of New York high school students (excluding New York City) who were Overweight or Obese, 1999 - 2005 (YRBS) 1
Obesity and Chronic Disease
- Obesity is linked to many chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, osteoarthritis, asthma, sleep apnea, and mental health problems.
- Excessive weight gain of 11-18 pounds can double the risk for type 2 diabetes.
- Excessive weight gain of 10-20 pounds increases the risk of coronary heart disease by 25% in women and 60% in men.
The Economics of Obesity
- In New York State, obesity costs more than $6 billion annually in direct medical expenditures for treatment of obesity-related diseases, as well as indirect costs such as lost productivity.2
Measuring Overweight and Obesity
References:
1 http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/yrbss/CategoryQuestions.asp?cat=5&desc=Dietary%20Behaviors
2 Finkelstein, EA, Fiebelkorn, IC, Wang, G. State-level estimates of annual medical expenditures attributable to obesity. Obesity Research 2004;12(1):18–24.
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