Obesity Results in More Frequent Health Care Visits Than Smoking

Experts always warn others to quit smoking because of the number of risks associated with it. Smoking is a dangerous vice that increases the risk for various types of diseases such as pulmonary disease, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal upsets, and even cancer. However, did you know that another condition is even more dangerous than smoking? What I’m talking about is obesity. A recent research indicated that obesity leads to even more visits to the doctor than smoking.

The statistics on obesity indicate that one in every four Canadians and one-third of Americans suffer from obesity. This is a large number compared to the incidence of obesity decades ago. The increasing rates of obesity may be caused by various unhealthy food choices and the rise of technology that has made life more sedentary.

Slim people may see obesity as a laughing matter. Still, obesity is not just a problem with the physical appearance of a person but a condition that may cause more severe problems. Among the diseases that obesity may lead to are heart disease, diabetes, stroke, peripheral diseases, and also cancer.

A research conducted by Professor James McIntosh at Concordia University in Canada looked at the nationwide impact of obesity on visits to the doctor and how much pressure it puts on the Canadian health care system.

The results of the study indicated that obese individuals indeed have more frequent visits to doctors compared to smokers who have a healthy weight.

People are now very aware of how harmful smoking is, so knowing that obesity leads to more frequent visits to the doctor opens the minds of people to why obesity is very dangerous and may lead them to take care of their health.

Specific results of the study in terms of the impact of obesity on the health care system of Canada indicated that when obesity is eradicated, it will reduce the number of visits to the doctor by 10 percent. This is a significant percentage that will reduce government expenditure on health care.

Also, the reduction of obesity may also reduce the number of visits due to type 2 Diabetes since this metabolic condition is mostly caused by obesity.
The research was not able to include cases of obesity that may have developed recently as well as data on obese people who were not yet afflicted with illnesses. Nevertheless, the data is already sufficient to show that obesity indeed increased the number of visits to the doctor.

The author of the research also revealed that obesity is primarily caused by under-exercising and overeating, and even encouraged policymakers to take action on these problems.

One solution that McIntosh thought of is to increase the health insurance premiums of obese individuals just as smokers have higher life premiums than the rest of the population. However, this suggestion is complicated to implement because most of the obese individuals belong to the lower socioeconomic levels. A more feasible solution is to impose regulations on fast foods.

An excellent way to trim down obesity cases is to undertake healthy diet plans for weight loss, such as BistroMD and Nutrisystem. These weight loss programs are the key to reducing obesity cases by providing delicious and chef-prepared foods that anyone loves but have limited calories to help obese individuals trim down their weight while they enjoy eating. Read a BistroMD review at weightlosstriumph.com

The author of the study also acknowledged that the problem of obesity is not catastrophic. Still, measures should be undertaken now to prevent a time when obesity is even more common in the general population.

If you are someone who is obese, now is the right time to lose weight and avoid health complications later in life.  How to start your weight loss goals? You should visit your doctor or endocrinologist to help you plan your weight loss regime because losing weight when obese requires more than just eating right and exercising adequately.