The Lancet, Volume 378, Issue 9793, Pages 815 – 825, 27 August 2011
doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60814-3
Health and economic burden of the projected obesity trends in the USA and the UK
Y Claire Wang, Klim McPherson, Tim Marsh, Steven L Gortmaker, Martin Brown
Summary
Rising prevalence of obesity is a worldwide health concern because excess weight gain within populations forecasts an increased burden from several diseases, most notably cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers.
In this report, we used a simulation model to project the probable health and economic consequences in the next two decades from a continued rise in obesity in two ageing populations—the USA and the UK.
These trends project 65 million more obese adults in the USA and 11 million more obese adults in the UK by 2030, consequently accruing an additional 6—8·5 million cases of diabetes, 5·7—7·3 million cases of heart disease and stroke, 492,000—669,000 additional cases of cancer, and 26—55 million quality-adjusted life years forgone for USA and UK combined.
The combined medical costs associated with treatment of these preventable diseases are estimated to increase by $48—66 billion/year in the USA and by £1·9—2 billion/year in the UK by 2030.
Hence, effective policies to promote healthier weight also have economic benefits.
It may not be clear to most that these numbers are only the Increase to whatever is spent now. What is the total? Anyone know?
Obesity, along with the myriad of lifestyle illnesses, is really a spiritual problem. When any one of us acts with great excess or great defect, these conditions prevail. Moderation remains the key.
GOD! Just pay attention to your body and food, not hard.
Go, Weight Watchers!
It is time that the U.S. government, and specifically the FDA and USDA, require that free glutamic acid be fully disclosed on the labels of processed foods and supplements, and in the product insert of pharmaceuticals, stated in milligrams.
It is clear from MEDLINE (www.pubmed.gov) by typing in “monosodium glutamate, obesity,” that the ever increasing introduction of processed free glutamic acid (MSG) into foods, supplements, and pharmaceuticals is contributing to obesity. (Processed free glutamic acid (MSG) is glutamic acid freed from protein through processing, adulteration or fermentation.)