Losing Weight Could Save Billions of Dollars

By Tom Jordan, MS, RD

A recent study showed looking at Americans who are about to enter medicare (60-64 years old) concluded that if 70% of the overweight individuals in this age group were to participate in a successful weight loss program and keep the weight off, that it would reduce Medicare costs by $9.3 Billion. 

The study was based on information produced by a YMCA diabetes prevention program in which participants lost 7% of their body weight.  In this population the prevalence of diabetes dropped by 71 percent!

Diabetes is Expensive To Treat
The lead author of this study, Kenneth Thorpe added that “most of the growth in health care spending is linked to rising rates of diabetes, cholesterol, and high blood pressure—all conditions that weight loss can help reduce.  Why not shift the focus to keeping people healthy?”

Impact of Weight Loss on Health

As a premier weight loss center and medical facility, at First Health Associates we agree that the first step to getting your health in line is getting your weight in line.  Obesity has now overtaken smoking as the number one preventable cause of mortality in the United States and accounts for $147 Billion in direct medical expenses each year. 

Cost Benefit Analysis

Joining an effective, behaviorally based weight loss program can be expensive.  However, consider the costs of not making a change:

·     An obese person spends on average $1500 per year more on medical expenses

·     Research also shows that obese individuals are often passed up for career promotion vs. equally matched counterparts

·     Healthy Life Years (years of life without disease or disability) are reduced up to 14 years due to obesity

If we make a decision based clearly on economics, an overweight person who makes a significant financial contribution to their health is likely to receive a full return on their financial investment within one year!

Apples to Apples:

The statistics provided in this YMCA study are not typical.  This group lost an average of 7% of their body weight and maintained the loss over 2.8 years.  When considering averages from commercial diet programs such as Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Nutrisystems, etc. those statistics blow dieting programs out of the water in both initial weight loss and in maintaining the loss.

It seems the key to success is incorporating all 3 vital components to weight loss:  Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Behavior Modification.  In validation of the success of the program mentioned in this study, our Largest Loser program has posted an average weight loss of 10.8% (in the first 12 weeks) and average cholesterol numbers have dropped 19% while Triglycerides have been lowered by an average of 22%. 

Isn’t it time for change?  If such a small subset of the population (60-64 year olds) can have a $9.3 Billion impact on the medical system, imagine what we can do if we get the rest of the country moving!

References

Enrolling people with prediabetes ages 60-64 in a proven weight loss program could save medicare $7 Billion or more.  Health Aff. September 2011 30:9;1673-1679