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makes them feel better about themselves. In other words, dieting is no
longer the exception; it’s become the norm.
Add to that $40 billion the other $147 billion in medical-related costs,
and Americans are spending approximately $187 billion a year on their
weight issues. And Americans who are obese are spending $1,850 more each
year than Americans that are a healthy weight and BMI.
“Obesity has become a crucial health problem for our nation,” says Health
and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. “Of course the ulti-
mate cost can’t be measured in dollars . . . the ultimate cost to Americans is
in chronic disease and early death.”
According to an article in
USA Today
, people who are classified as
extremely obese (80 pounds or more over a normal weight) live anywhere
from three to twelve years less than their counterparts of "normal" weight.
Adults who are obese and smoke can live up to 21 years less than people of
"normal" weight who don't smoke. (Each year about 300,000 Americans die
prematurely of obesity-related conditions, and 443,000 die of tobacco-
related conditions!) The obvious conclusion is that being obese significantly
shortens life expectancy, not to mention quality of life. One report claims
that the effects of obesity are like aging twenty years.
Obese adults aren’t the only ones who have their lives cut short.
96 / Health Issues Caused by Obesity