Obesity Trends

Obesity affects 60 million adults and costs the nation $117 billion in direct and indirect costs

By HomeCare Staff

Obesity:

  • affects 60 million adults
  • is one of the fastest-growing segments in American society
  • costs the nation $117 billion in direct and indirect costs, including health care, treatment, lost productivity and absenteeism
  • causes weight-related chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers, making it the country’s second-highest cause of preventable death

“Any national health reform discussion that does not address the impact of obesity will ultimately be unable to meet the goals of better health and more affordable care. Obesity threatens every segment of our society — from our military to our schools.”
— 17th U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, Health and Wellness chairperson of the STOP Obesity Alliance

“For individuals who are significantly overweight and want to incorporate an exercise program into their life, aquatic exercise offers a first step in exercise. Using the body’s natural buoyancy to relieve stress on weight-bearing joints in the workout, aquatic exercise is a safe way for overweight people to start down the road to good health.”
— Liz Waters, marketing director, Aquatic Access
“America is becoming an increasingly obese market. Sales of bariatric products have increased in our overall product line by 1500 percent and continue to increase … This is a market that all companies are preparing for as it is constantly growing.”
— Les Brandeis, director of sales, Merits Health Products

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