Alternative approaches to the treatment of weight problems may become even more popular after a recent study reported the health cost of obesity in the U.S. may be as high as $147 billion per year.
It was conducted by Research Triangle Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and found individuals who are obese spent $1,429 (42 percent) more for medical care in 2006 than did normal weight people. From 1998 to 2006, the share of annual medical costs that are due to obesity increased from 6.5 percent to 9.1 percent.
“Obesity is a risk for a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers,” says Dr. William H. Dietz, director of CDCs Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity.
“Reversing this epidemic requires a multifaceted and coordinated approach that uses policy and environmental change to transform communities into places that support and promote healthy lifestyle choices for all people,” he adds.
In addition to regular exercise, those who have struggled with weight may consider trying the alkaline diet. It is based on citrus fruits, vegetables, tubers, nuts and legumes, and it has the added benefit of boosting bone health into old age.
