In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that approximately 42.4% of U.S. adults were obese. This means that nearly half of American adults had a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, which is considered obese.
The annual healthcare cost associated with obesity in the United States is substantial. It includes direct medical costs such as doctor visits, hospitalizations, and prescription medications, as well as indirect costs related to lost productivity and disability. The American Society of Clinical Oncology estimated that the annual economic cost of obesity in the United States was approximately $147 billion in healthcare spending and an additional $3.38 billion in lost productivity as of 2020.
Do obese people just lack control?
Indeed, the majority of individuals earnestly strive to make prudent choices by adhering to dietary and fitness counsel, but often find these efforts to be less effective than hoped. Take, for example, the pervasive low-fat diet recommendation, which has unwittingly ushered in a surge of processed foods and seed oils. Paradoxically, this shift has contributed to the escalating prevalence of obesity. Furthermore, the healthcare landscape lacks nutrition-focused training for many providers, leading some to offer broad and somewhat simplistic guidance such as "eat less, move more." Others default to prescribing the low-fat diet as a one-size-fits-all approach. Many healthcare practitioners sidestep discussions on nutrition and obesity management entirely, opting instead to address the resultant chronic ailments that often accompany obesity. Some of these medications themselves can contribute to obesity.
What can we do?
By assessing the causes of obesity, we can offer recommendations based on your individual situation to help you on your path to freedom from chronic health struggles, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, joint pain, bloating, mood disturbances, poor blood sugar control, unbalanced hormones. We can address nutritional deficiencies and help you function and feel better than you ever thought was possible. Imagine having energy, feeling joyful and able to focus on other aspects of your life because of your chronic good health. You can do this! We can help you get there! Book a free Blood Sugar Consult call today.
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