WASHINGTON- A study released Tuesday predicts that almost half of U.S. adults will be obese by 2018 leading to a quadruple of spending to treat obesity over the next decade.
In 2008 the U.S. spent nearly $86 billion on obesity-related health care. But doctors quoted in the study by America’s Health Rankings warned that if current trends continue that amount will grow to $344 billion by 2018.
Mississippi topped the reports “worst states” list with an obese population of almost 38 percent. The report estimates more than half of the state’s population will be obese by 2018. Kentucky, Ohio, Oklahoma, and South Dakota rounded out the top five unhealthiest states.
But if obesity rates stay at current levels, the study shows the U.S. would save nearly $200 billion in health care costs.
The report has the attention of lawmakers on Capitol Hill, as legislators look to cut costs with health care reform.
“It’s an epidemic that is preventable,” said Rep. James Moran, D-Va.
Even though Moran’s state of Virginia was ranked in the top five healthiest states in the report, Moran said obesity is the entire nation’s problem, especially as costs continue to rise. “We need to use the example of what’s working for states in the rest of the nation,” Moran said.
Only four states and the District of Columbia are expected to keep obesity rates below 35 percent by 2018. Colorado was ranked one of the healthiest states in 2009, but Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien said her state’s population is not immune from the obesity epidemic. “Our adults are pretty healthy, but for our kids the obesity rate is increasing at a rate that mirrors maybe not the South, but certainly the Midwest…It’s an alarming trend,” O’Brien said.
Doctors and lawmakers agree that obesity prevention must begin with the younger generations and begin soon. “We are going to see everything that’s going on in terms of health reform washed out because we will never be able to afford treating that much chronic disease,” Dr. Reed Tuckson, of UnitedHealth Group said.