OBESITY…
has roughly the same association with chronic illness as 20 years of aging
— is associated with a 36% increase in inpatient and outpatient healthcare spending
— is associated with a 77% increase in medications
— is the number two (2) cause of preventable death in the U.S!!!
(Source: The Effects of Obesity, Smoking, and Drinking on Medical Problems and Costs, Roland Sturm, Rand, 2002)
But until just recently, obesity was NOT considered a DISEASE. In June of this year (2013), the American Medical Association’s (AMA) House of Delegates voted to officially declare obesity a disease.
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To access the complete article, click - https://smstevensandassociates.com/ResourceLibrary/tabid/192/Default.aspx