9781422288450

Warren has type 2 diabetes, a condition that set in after he gained forty pounds in adulthood. His symptoms are severe enough that he monitors his blood-glucose levels several times per day. The machine that does the test costs about $100, which Warren’s medical insurance covers. But that’s just a fraction of the amount being overweight has cost him. “I’ve spent literally thousands of dollars on diet plans, weight-loss foods, health club fees, and even hypnosis. Nothing’s worked for long. I always end up gaining back every pound I lose plus a few more. Now I’m heavier than I’ve ever been, and it may ultimately cost me my life.”

A Big Bill In this book we’ve covered common physical and psy- chosocial consequences of obesity. Many people believe excess weight only hurts those who suffer from it. This of course is untrue. The health impact, whether it is physical or psychological, touches not only those actually struggling with these conditions

but their families and friends as well. But the effects of overweight and obe- sity reach further. These effects actually translate into huge monetary costs, and all of society pays that bill. Our wallets, and those of our employers, the medical industry, and the government, all chip in to support the financial burden created by our growing waistlines. The cost of obesity is not just physical; it’s hugely financial. Overweight individuals face a dizzying array of health issues that will cost their families thousands upon thousands of dollars: heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and arthritis, to name a few. All are directly related to being overweight. The medical costs are staggering. Many families face bankruptcy trying to dig out of the debt-hole one good illness digs. And if a family doesn’t have the means to pay, then Medicaid or Medicare kicks in. Such gov- ernment aid is funded by the taxes we each pay. The more the government

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