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| AMA says obesity is a disease |
The American Medical
Association is the latest in a growing list of groups that have classified obesity as a disease. Whether or
not one believes that obesity is a disease, there is reason to believe that the
new policy will pave the way for prevention and better treatment that will ultimately
save billions in health care costs.
Since the 1980s, the rates of
obesity have been steadily increasing along with a rapid rise in type 2
diabetes. Diabetes currently costs the US a staggering $174 billion a year. The first line of defense
for treating pre-diabetes is weight loss and increasing physical activity. Obesity
is a complex issue and impossible to fix in the one hour nutrition education
session allowed by many insurance companies.
The time for registered
dietitian nutritionists to shine is now. They can make a difference and save our
country billions in health care costs. Prevention is the answer. Insurance
reimbursement for lifestyle intervention/weight loss programs should be a
priority – if not from a social welfare point of view, then certainly from a financial
one.
