The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #50217

Roy Grant, Pamella Darby, MPH, RD, and Irwin Redlener, MD. Division of Community Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, 317 East 64th Street, New York, NY 10021, 212-535-9779, rgrant@montefiore.org

Obesity now affects more than 60% of adults. The number of deaths attributed to overweight and obesity each year is 300,000 - three-fourths as many as are attributed to tobacco. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates the direct and indirect costs of overweight and obesity at $117 billion in 2000. Obesity is associated with increased risk of many diseases including, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, osteoarthritis and sleep apnea. Many of these could be prevented if the obesity were prevented or identified and treated early. Unfortunately, obesity is not recognized as a disease entity. Rather, it is seen as a co-morbidity of these related conditions. Medically necessary interventions to prevent or control obesity are not covered benefits in most insurance plans, which makes it difficult for patients to access prescription diets or other medical care that could prevent or delay the onset of medical conditions for which obesity greatly increases risk. The recent Surgeon General report notes that weight loss of 5% to 15% of body weight can reduce risk by lowering blood pressure, lower blood sugar, improving cholesterol levels, resulting in better quality of life and less chance of life threatening disease. As a matter of public policy, it is possible to define obesity (e.g., using body mass index) to establish a level of medical necessity and prevent frivolous health insurance claims. There is ample evidence that money spent to prevent, limit, or treat obesity will save substantial health care costs for related medical conditions.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, participants will be better able to
• Identify reasons why obesity should be considered a disease entity;
• Define obesity in terms of medically necessary services;
• List strategies that may help prevent medical morbidities associated with obesity.
• Articulate the importance of treating obesity as a disease

Keywords: Obesity, Advocacy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.