The cost of obesity in Michigan
Economic Costs
In 2008, Michigan spent an estimated $3.1 billion in obesity related medical costs. Estimated cost in 2011 is $5 Billion.
It’s projected Michigan will spend $12.5 billion in obesity related medical costs in 2018 if rates continue to increase at their current levels.
Health Costs
Obesity contributes to major chronic conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes, asthma, breast and colon cancer, arthritis and depression.
Hispanics and African-Americans have a higher prevalence of obesity.
Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater are considered obese.
Weight and height are used to calculate BMI, which provides a reasonable indicator of body fat and weight categories that may lead to health issues.
In 2010, 31.7 percent of Michigan adults were considered obese and 35.1 percent were considered overweight. Two-thirds of Michigan’s adult population is at an unhealthy weight.
Currently in Michigan, some 800,000 children and 5 million adults have a weight problem.
Childhood obesity is significantly under-diagnosed, and of special concern is the 12.4 percent of Michigan youths who are obese.
Nationally, approximately 60 million adults are obese.
Three out of every 10 Michigan adults were obese in 2009.
Source: The Numbers and Stats in Michigan – Snyder Administration
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/Obesity_BG_363659_7.pdf
Top Foods to Eat and to Avoid for a Healthy Weight:
Eat More of these foods:
• Vegetables and fruit: The original “100 calorie” snack! A typical serving of a fruit or vegetable is loaded with nutrition and contains little calories; usually less than 100 calories per serving. Fruit and vegetables are packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that help to maintain a healthy weight and prevent chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and hypertension/stroke, and respiratory disease.
• Low-fat Dairy: Research studies have demonstrated that two or more servings of low-fat dairy can help promote a healthy body weight. Dairy is also a great source of mood boosting vitamin D and bone building calcium.
• Whole Grains and Complex Carbohydrates: Look for the words “whole grain” as the first ingredient on labels for breads, cereals, and crackers (such as “whole wheat flour”). Eat less white foods in the grain category and emphasize whole kernel grains like brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat breads. Use NuVal scores to help you find the best grains (the higher the score, the more nutrition).
• Lean Protein: Proteins are essential to satiety and provide the building blocks for healthy cells. We only need about 5 ounces of protein per day. Emphasize skinless poultry, fish (at least twice weekly), and lean meats (pork and beef – cuts from the loin and round are leanest). Protein foods also provide essential minerals such as zinc, selenium, and magnesium.
• Practice portion control: use a smaller plate and check out www.myplate.gov for portion size guidelines.
• Cook more at home: Know what is in your food by preparing it at home, avoiding hidden fat, sugar, sodium and calories in restaurant foods. Remember to make half your plate non-starchy vegetables and fruit, 1/4 of your plate complex (fiber rich) carbohydrates, and 1/4 lean nutritious protein.
• Eat healthy fats: Nuts, seeds, olive oil, canola oil, avocado are just some of the healthy fats that you should eat, in moderation, to maintain health and satisfy your hunger.
• Water! Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Sometimes our body confuses thirst signals for hunger signals. Drinking plenty of water helps prevent these mixed signals and contributes to a healthy body weight.
Eat Less of these foods:
• Sugar sweetened beverages: Soda pop, energy drinks, juice drinks etc. As much as 30% of the obesity “crisis” may be attributable to consumption of sugar sweetened beverages.
• Refined Flour: White breads, donuts and pastries, sweetened refined breakfast cereals; all pack in calories with very little nutrition. You’re often hungry shortly after you eat these foods because they cause spikes in your blood sugar, and in insulin production. Elevated insulin levels contribute to increased appetite and weight gain around the middle—the type of body fat most closely linked to heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
• Fast Foods: The “toxic food environment” created by calorie laden, nutrient poor, tasty and semi-addictive fast foods has been long theorized as a key cause of the national obesity crisis. Limit fast foods to special occasions—you’ll eat less saturated fat, salt, refined flours, and fewer calories.
• Snack foods: Salty snacks such as chips and sweet treats such as cookies, ice cream and brownies are easy to over-indulge on. These foods are loaded with calories and lack nutrition. Buy individual snack size versions of these, or pre-portion your bulk package to control portions and calories.
• Fried Foods: Frying foods adds flavor, and lots of calories, to foods. A study published in the The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that subjects eating fried foods became obese while their non-fried food eating counterparts maintained weight. Skip the fried chicken and purchase a Meijer rotisserie chicken instead.
• High fat and processed meats: ground hamburger, sausage, hot dogs and bacon—just to name a few—are fine for an occasional meal, but these foods are packed with saturated fats (as much as half of the calories from fat) and are calorie dense.
• Added “incidental” calories: A smear of butter here, a dollop of cream there, a heavy portion of salad dressing—all add up to a lot of extra calories. Be aware of how much you are using when you add cream and sugar to your coffee and butter on your toast.
The cost of obesity in Michigan
Economic Costs
In 2008, Michigan spent an estimated $3.1 billion in obesity related medical costs. Estimated cost in 2011 is $5 Billion.
It’s projected Michigan will spend $12.5 billion in obesity related medical costs in 2018 if rates continue to increase at their current levels.
Health Costs
Obesity contributes to major chronic conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes, asthma, breast and colon cancer, arthritis and depression.
Hispanics and African-Americans have a higher prevalence of obesity.
Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater are considered obese.
Weight and height are used to calculate BMI, which provides a reasonable indicator of body fat and weight categories that may lead to health issues.
In 2010, 31.7 percent of Michigan adults were considered obese and 35.1 percent were considered overweight. Two-thirds of Michigan’s adult population is at an unhealthy weight.
Currently in Michigan, some 800,000 children and 5 million adults have a weight problem.
Childhood obesity is significantly under-diagnosed, and of special concern is the 12.4 percent of Michigan youths who are obese.
Nationally, approximately 60 million adults are obese.
Three out of every 10 Michigan adults were obese in 2009.
Source: The Numbers and Stats in Michigan – Snyder Administration
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/Obesity_BG_363659_7.pdf
Top Foods to Eat and to Avoid for a Healthy Weight:
Eat More of these foods:
· Vegetables and fruit: The original “100 calorie” snack! A typical serving of a fruit or vegetable is loaded with nutrition and contains little calories; usually less than 100 calories per serving. Fruit and vegetables are packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that help to maintain a healthy weight and prevent chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and hypertension/stroke, and respiratory disease.
· Low-fat Dairy: Research studies have demonstrated that two or more servings of low-fat dairy can help promote a healthy body weight. Dairy is also a great source of mood boosting vitamin D and bone building calcium.
· Whole Grains and Complex Carbohydrates: Look for the words “whole grain” as the first ingredient on labels for breads, cereals, and crackers (such as “whole wheat flour”). Eat less white foods in the grain category and emphasize whole kernel grains like brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat breads. Use NuVal scores to help you find the best grains (the higher the score, the more nutrition).
· Lean Protein: Proteins are essential to satiety and provide the building blocks for healthy cells. We only need about 5 ounces of protein per day. Emphasize skinless poultry, fish (at least twice weekly), and lean meats (pork and beef – cuts from the loin and round are leanest). Protein foods also provide essential minerals such as zinc, selenium, and magnesium.
· Practice portion control: use a smaller plate and check out www.myplate.gov for portion size guidelines.
· Cook more at home: Know what is in your food by preparing it at home, avoiding hidden fat, sugar, sodium and calories in restaurant foods. Remember to make half your plate non-starchy vegetables and fruit, 1/4 of your plate complex (fiber rich) carbohydrates, and 1/4 lean nutritious protein.
· Eat healthy fats: Nuts, seeds, olive oil, canola oil, avocado are just some of the healthy fats that you should eat, in moderation, to maintain health and satisfy your hunger.
· Water! Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Sometimes our body confuses thirst signals for hunger signals. Drinking plenty of water helps prevent these mixed signals and contributes to a healthy body weight.
Eat Less of these foods:
· Sugar sweetened beverages: Soda pop, energy drinks, juice drinks etc. As much as 30% of the obesity “crisis” may be attributable to consumption of sugar sweetened beverages.
· Refined Flour: White breads, donuts and pastries, sweetened refined breakfast cereals; all pack in calories with very little nutrition. You’re often hungry shortly after you eat these foods because they cause spikes in your blood sugar, and in insulin production. Elevated insulin levels contribute to increased appetite and weight gain around the middle—the type of body fat most closely linked to heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
· Fast Foods: The “toxic food environment” created by calorie laden, nutrient poor, tasty and semi-addictive fast foods has been long theorized as a key cause of the national obesity crisis. Limit fast foods to special occasions—you’ll eat less saturated fat, salt, refined flours, and fewer calories.
· Snack foods: Salty snacks such as chips and sweet treats such as cookies, ice cream and brownies are easy to over-indulge on. These foods are loaded with calories and lack nutrition. Buy individual snack size versions of these, or pre-portion your bulk package to control portions and calories.
· Fried Foods: Frying foods adds flavor, and lots of calories, to foods. A study published in the The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that subjects eating fried foods became obese while their non-fried food eating counterparts maintained weight. Skip the fried chicken and purchase a Meijer rotisserie chicken instead.
· High fat and processed meats: ground hamburger, sausage, hot dogs and bacon—just to name a few—are fine for an occasional meal, but these foods are packed with saturated fats (as much as half of the calories from fat) and are calorie dense.
· Added “incidental” calories: A smear of butter here, a dollop of cream there, a heavy portion of salad dressing—all add up to a lot of extra calories. Be aware of how much you are using when you add cream and sugar to your coffee and butter on your toast.