The True Cost of Obesity

Obesity is one of the most common causes of physical and mental health issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “People who have overweight or obesity, compared to those with healthy weight, are at increased risk for many serious diseases and health conditions.” LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers medically tailored meals (MTMs) and other food options to help people achieve or maintain a healthy weight. Addressing excessive weight gain through healthy dietary changes reduces the cost of obesity.

What Is the Health Cost of Obesity?

Obesity is a rising health issue across the United States. Families and communities spend more each year to address preventable health problems caused by obesity. According to the CDC, “The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the United States was nearly $173 billion in 2019.” In addition to costing people and insurance companies billions of dollars, obesity also has a high emotional cost. People struggling with obesity have an increased risk of being diagnosed with mental health disorders and may have a lower quality of life.

Some of the most common preventable health issues caused by obesity include:

• Heart disease, stroke, and heart attack
• High blood pressure and high cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes
• Sleep apnea
• Osteoarthritis
• Joint and muscle pain
• Depression
• Anxiety

People with obesity may experience more severe symptoms if they have a chronic medical issue. Medically tailored meals (MTMs) help people manage chronic conditions by ensuring they receive personalized meals each week to address their active and underlying health issues.

Potential Expensive Long-Term Health Issues Caused by Obesity

Unaddressed obesity may lead to expensive long-term health problems, including heart disease. The body requires specific nutrients to ensure it works properly and feels energized. People who do not eat a healthy, balanced diet may struggle with chronic fatigue and have difficulty focusing. A simple change of diet can have a profound effect on a person’s physical and mental well-being.

Some other known long-term health issues caused by obesity include:

• Premature death
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Some cancers, including breast and colon cancer

The mind and body are directly linked. If someone is overweight and experiencing medical issues, their mental health may suffer. Many people with obesity also experience internalized stigmas, depression, or anxiety due to an unhealthy body image. Eating healthier has the benefit of improving self-esteem and self-confidence by reducing stress on the mind and body.

Community Cost of Obesity in America

Entire communities are impacted by the high cost of treating individuals with obesity and weight-related health issues. Often, people struggling with obesity have multiple co-occurring health issues. The increased strain on the healthcare system reduces access to resources in communities. According to the Journal of Managed Care and Specialty Pharmacy, “Adults with obesity in the United States compared with those with normal weight experienced higher annual medical care costs by $2,505 or 100%, with costs increasing significantly with class of obesity, from 68.4% for class 1 to 233.6% for class 3.”

Obesity can affect many aspects of a person’s life and health, including:

• Employment
• Relationships
• Engagement
• Mobility
• Happiness

A growing number of individuals are starting to experience significant and distressing health issues caused by unmanaged weight gain. Addressing weight gain through diet and exercise is one of the best ways to reduce the emotional, physical, and financial costs of obesity.

Taking Steps to Avoid Preventable Diseases

Many common diseases can be prevented through healthy lifestyle changes, including staying active, eating right, getting quality sleep each night, staying hydrated, and practicing regular self-care. Weight management is an essential part of preventing diseases like obesity. According to Health.gov, “Culturally appropriate programs and policies that help people eat nutritious foods within their calorie needs can reduce overweight and obesity.”

Some of the steps people take to reduce their risk of preventable health issues include:

• Staying physically active
• Avoiding ultra-processed foods, saturated fats, processed sugars, and empty calories
• Eating a balanced diet featuring highly nutritious whole foods

Community-based programs and services, including home-delivered meals, help people manage their weight and build healthier relationships with food.

How Does LifeSpring Home Nutrition Help Reduce the Cost of Obesity?

LifeSpring Home Nutrition lowers the monetary and health costs of obesity by providing balanced meals to individuals in the community. People who practice self-care and eat regular nutritious meals are less likely to be hospitalized for preventable diseases linked to weight gain. Obesity is also easier to treat and manage if people have premade meals, determining what and how much they eat throughout the week.

Home-delivered meals have built-in portion control. Each dish is a serving of balanced foods. Individuals manage weight more effectively by cutting unhealthy snacks and drinks from their diet. The meals provided by LifeSpring Home Nutrition are made with high-quality fresh ingredients and flash-frozen to retain the most nutrients. By receiving weekly meal deliveries, people reduce their reliance on ultra-processed foods. Eating healthy and staying active is the easiest way to manage obesity-related health issues.

Obesity is one of the most deadly preventable health conditions worldwide. Every year, the percentage of individuals who meet the criteria for obesity increases. Unmanaged weight gain can lead to severe and life-long health problems. Many people are unaware of the true cost of untreated obesity. Diet is the easiest way to effectively manage weight gain. Often, even a simple dietary change can profoundly affect a person’s overall health and wellness. LifeSpring Home Nutrition helps individuals manage their weight by providing home-delivered meals. Every dish is carefully prepared with the best quality ingredients to increase nutrition and reduce empty calories. To learn more about our services, contact us today at (800) 798-5767.