Nearly 17% of U.S. medical costs can be blamed on obesity, according to new research that suggests the nation’s weight problem may be having close to twice the impact on medical spending as previously estimated.
One expert acknowledged that past estimates likely underestimated the costs and said the new study — which places obesity-related medical costs at around $168 billion — probably is closer to the truth.
Obesity costs U.S. $168 billion, study finds – USATODAY.com
Mayor Bloomberg, along with Governor Patterson unveiled an ambitious initiative last week to exclude sugar-sweetened beverages, the largest single contributor to the obesity epidemic, from the list of allowable purchases through the nation’s food stamp program.
More than 1.7 million people in New York City receive food stamps. Data from the Agriculture Department show that sugary drinks account for about 6 percent of food stamp use across the country. In New York City that would translate to $75 million or more of subsidized sugary drinks a year.
Aggressive Anti-Obesity Campaign Kicks Sodas to the Curb
At a time when American military forces are stretched thin overseas, a growing number of potential recruits are too fat to enlist, according to an analysis by Cornell economists.
Climbing obesity rates threaten U.S. national security by hampering military recruitment
